LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
August 17/17
Compiled &
Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
The Bulletin's Link on the
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Bible Quotations For
Today
If the owner of the house had known at what
hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 12/35-40/:‘Be dressed for
action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master
to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as
soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds
alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit
down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of
the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. ‘But know
this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he
would not have let his house be broken into.You also must be ready, for the Son
of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."
You have appealed to the emperor; to the emperor you
will go
Acts of the Apostles 24,27.25,1-12/:After two years had passed, Felix was
succeeded by Porcius Festus; and since he wanted to grant the Jews a favour,
Felix left Paul in prison. Three days after Festus had arrived in the province,
he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem where the chief priests and the leaders of
the Jews gave him a report against Paul. They appealed to him and requested, as
a favour to them against Paul, to have him transferred to Jerusalem. They were,
in fact, planning an ambush to kill him along the way. Festus replied that Paul
was being kept at Caesarea, and that he himself intended to go there shortly.
‘So’, he said, ‘let those of you who have the authority come down with me, and
if there is anything wrong about the man, let them accuse him.’After he had
stayed among them for not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea;
the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought.
When he arrived, the Jews who had gone down from Jerusalem surrounded him,
bringing many serious charges against him, which they could not prove. Paul said
in his defence, ‘I have in no way committed an offence against the law of the
Jews, or against the temple, or against the emperor.’But Festus, wishing to do
the Jews a favour, asked Paul, ‘Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and be tried
there before me on these charges?’Paul said, ‘I am appealing to the emperor’s
tribunal; this is where I should be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as
you very well know. Now if I am in the wrong and have committed something for
which I deserve to die, I am not trying to escape death; but if there is nothing
to their charges against me, no one can turn me over to them. I appeal to the
emperor.’ Then Festus, after he had conferred with his council, replied, ‘You
have appealed to the emperor; to the emperor you will go.’"
Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources
published on August 16-17/17
Peace In the Middle East/Elias Youssef Bejjani/August 16/17
Hezbollah’s hegemony will fail in Lebanon/Ali Al-Amin/Asharq Al Awsat/August
16/17
Japan Concerned over Low Inflation/Noah Smith/Bloomberg/August 16/17
In Dealing with North Korea, Trump Needs Allies/David Ignatius/The Washington
Post/August 16/17
Risks of Iran Nuclear Deal Collapse/Abdulrahman Al-Rashed/Asharq Al Awsat/August
16/17
The View From the Kremlin: Survival Is Darwinian/Maxim Trudolyubov/The New York
Times/August 16/17
Europe: Migrant Crisis Reaches Spain/Soeren Kern/Gatestone Institute/August
16/17
What's next in Afghanistan/John R. Bolton/Gatestone Institute/August 16/17
The Anti-Semitic Jewish Media/Bruce Bawer/Gatestone Institute/August 16/17
Muqtada Sadr and the great sectarian tussle/Mashari Althaydi/Asharq Al Awsat/August
16/17
Titles For Latest Lebanese Related News published on
August 16-17/17
Peace In the Middle East
Hezbollah’s hegemony will fail in Lebanon
Lebanese Army Surrounds ISIS in Jurud, Installs Special Operation Room for
Battle
Berri adjourns evening legislative session due to lack of quorum
Berri: Lack of quorum in legislative session is shameful
Berri: Amendments to Wage Scale, Tax Hike Bills Can't Be Discussed at Parliament
Today
Parliament Scraps Controversial Rape-Marriage Law
Lebanese Army Shells IS Positions, Captures New Border Areas
Aoun deems water dams' projects keystone for development of production sectors
Hajj Hassan, Zoayter arrive in Syria to partake in Damascus International Fair
Official Lebanese delegation bound for Burkina Faso to transfer bodies of terror
attack victims
Kanaa: Salary scale on track, expenditures control must include waste
Iran building long-range rocket factory in Syria - Israeli TV/Report: Iran and
Russia violated UN weapons sanctions
Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin For
Miscellaneous Reports And News published on August 16-17/17
Riyadh Says Iran Spreading Terrorism, Cannot be Negotiated with
UAE: Qatar Must Meet 13 Demands to Return to GCC
Bouteflika Sacks Algerian Prime Minister
Escalation in Southern Syria amid Demands to Amend Truce
Moscow Supports Haftar’s Counter-Terrorism Efforts, Salama Meets Politicians in
Misrata
Al-Azhar Rejects Tunisia’s Call for Gender Equality in Inheritance
Iraq Oil Minister: Establishment of Iraqi-Saudi Coordination Council a
Significant Step
China Tells US, North Korea to 'Hit the Brakes' on Threats
Israel Demolishes Home of Palestinian Who Stabbed 3 to Death
Conflicts in Syria, Iraq Far From over Despite IS Setbacks
Manama: Qatar conspired to overthrow the regime in Bahrain
Explosive boat attack foiled targeting UAE ship
Saudi Arabia affirms it has never requested Iranian mediation
Latest Lebanese Related News published on August 16-17/17
Peace In the Middle East
Elias Youssef Bejjani
August 17, 2017·
An Everlasting Peace in the Middle East requires honesty, love and tolerance
unless the Arab countries and people give up on their deeply rooted hatred and
grudges towards Israel and stop educating their generation on rejection of
others and Isolation no revolutions will help them and they will keep on getting
out of a trap and falling into another. Education tolerance, peace and
acceptance of others are the kind of revolutions that the Arab world needs
urgently.
Hezbollah’s hegemony will fail in Lebanon/هيمنة حزب الله
سوف تفشل في لبنان
Ali Al-Amin/Asharq Al Awsat/August 16/17
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/?p=57996
Almost all financial and economic indicators point to Lebanon’s dramatic
freefall into the abyss. With public debt rising to $118 billion, the annual
budget deficit has shot above 60 percent even as the total budgetary amount
stands at a paltry $17 billion.
The economic and financial crisis comes amid the glaring inability of political
authorities – be it the one allied to Hezbollah or the other disaffiliated from
it – from taking any measures to stabilize the situation.
Statements emanating from the government show their abject disregard of the dire
economic situation and an Ostrich-like head-in-the-sand approach that fails to
acknowledge the imminent threat.
Economy in freefall? Blame Syrian refugees
Some have made Syrian refugees the scapegoat in order to absolve Lebanese
authorities from taking any responsibility for the current dismal situation. The
refugee issue is also used to cover up several instances of corruption and
‘organized loot’ which has skyrocketed the budgetary deficit and the debt
burden.
For example, the biggest illegal appropriation of public property over the last
10 years has been brought about by political forces that are now part of the
government. The role of illegitimate arms was behind these illicit activities,
which has impaired the rule of law.
Hezbollah and its allies put on a military, political and media show on a daily
basis and always give the impression that they control the state, its foreign
affairs as well as political and security decisions
Weaknesses cannot produce confidence. Hezbollah and its allies put on a
military, political and media show on a daily basis and always give the
impression that they control the state, its foreign affairs as well as political
and security decisions. However, this does not create a sense of confidence in
them. Something makes these powers – particularly Hezbollah –uneasy about the
territories and jurisdiction they claim to possess.
Lebanese people have come to realize that there have been recent attempts at
undermining the pluralistic character of their society, particularly with the
promotion of the concept that Hezbollah is sacrosanct and above criticism, while
all others are essentially impure and tainted.
Again, those who endorse the statements of Hezbollah and adore emblems of the
Iranian outreach, which extends from Tehran to Beirut, are largely accepted and
embraced.
This style of management is reflective of a military and security oriented
mindset that only knows how to govern through force and repression. This
approach may partially work and only under specific circumstances but it cannot
be sustained for long in a country like Lebanon.
Truly Arab and pluralistic
Since the time of Lebanon’s establishment, no authority has been able to upset
the political and cultural diversity of the country – irrespective of its
political or military might – nor has it been able to interfere with its sense
of freedom that has resisted all internal and external powers.
This characteristic is deep-entrenched and is directly linked to the country’s
economic and social character. Violating the conditions of democracy and freedom
will have direct and definitive impact on its economy.
Lebanon rejects any attempt at the imposition of a totalitarian system. Thanks
to its essential constituents, it cannot be separated from its Arab ethos and
moorings. Its distinctly Arab sense of belonging is not superficial but it is
germane to its existence and continuity and is of vital significance.
Whenever any power or authority in the past has tried to drag Lebanon into
something different from its true nature, the people have vociferously spoken
out and revolted against any attempts at subjugation.
Lebanon is a country that is much bigger than any ideological construct
developed to mobilize the masses. Its culture runs deeper than any smug idea
that might presume it is in control. Its ethos is resistant to occupation, both
from within and without.
Freedom in Lebanon is not a passing fad but is a deep-rooted value that is fully
capable of unseating tyranny, whether in the form of men, political alliance or
ideologies.
Lebanese Army Surrounds ISIS in Jurud, Installs Special
Operation Room for Battle
Asharq Al Awsat/August 16/17/Reuters 16/17/Beirut- Hours after Saraya ahl
al-Sham militants and their families arrived to Qalamoun from Lebanon’s Jurud
Arsal area, the Lebanese Army launched on Tuesday sweep operations in the
geographical area where the militants were present, ahead of triggering a battle
against ISIS in Jurud Baalbek and Qaa, expected soon. “The Lebanese Army is
already inside the area previously controlled by Saraya ahl al-Sham militants
and had started a sweeping operation to clean it from cluster bombs and
explosives,” a military source told Asharq Al-Awsat on Tuesday. He said that the
army also secured route to the hills from where it can supervise ISIS positions
and target any movement by the organization’s militants. “The announcement of
the start of the military operation is now very near,” he said. According to
military sources, the army also installed a military operation room inside its
headquarters in Yarzeh to follow up on the field of developments minute by
minute. The source also uncovered the presence of a plan to provide the public
with the latest information from inside the battlefield. He also said a number
of US and British experts were still present inside the air military base in the
Riyaq area in Lebanon’s Bekaa. However, the military source denied that those
experts were present in Lebanon to participate in the battle. “Their presence is
linked to offering some training and information about the weapons they already
provided to the army. They will have no role in the field developments,” the
source added. On Tuesday, Lebanese Army units resumed bombarding ISIS locations
in the outskirts of Ras Baalbek and al-Qaa, using intermittent artillery fire.
The army personnel also advanced on Tuesday morning in the areas of Mrah
al-Sheikh, Ajram and Wadi Hmayd in the region of Arsal’s outskirts, as part of
the army’s ongoing tightening on terrorist groups in the towns of Baalbek and
al-Qaa, where they detected a number of explosive belts, bombs shells, booby
traps and the body of an unknown person, an army statement said.
Berri adjourns evening legislative session due to lack of
quorum
Wed 16 Aug 2017 /NNA - House Speaker, Nabih Berri, adjourned the evening
legislative session of Parliament due to lack of quorum.
Berri: Lack of quorum in legislative session is shameful
Wed 16 Aug 2017/NNA - Speaker of the House, Nabih Berri, deemed the lack of
quorum during this evening's legislative session as shameful. It is to note that
the quorum was not complete during this evening's legislative session, with the
absence of 65 members of Parliament from said session.
Berri: Amendments to Wage Scale, Tax Hike Bills Can't Be
Discussed at Parliament Today
Naharnet/August 16/17/Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has expressed his
“readiness to facilitate” the introduction of bills to amend some aspects of the
wage scale law and the accompanying taxes to secure its funding resources, “if
presented to the general assembly of the parliament,” the pan-Arab al-Hayat
daily reported on Wednesday. However, Berri's visitors quoted him as saying that
"it is not possible to propose bills to the parliament to amend the wage scale
law and taxes until after the publication of the two laws in the official
gazette and after the signature of the President. Only then will there be no
problem in discussing the law proposals,” the daily said. "In any case, new law
proposals cannot be put forward during today's session because there is a
specific agenda that must be followed," unnamed sources clarified to the daily.
However the Speaker pointed out that he will “call for a new legislative session
next week, where the said bills can be proposed.”Unnamed sources told the daily
that the appointment of Minister of Finance Ali Hassan Khalil and the Chairman
of the Finance and Budget Committee Ibrahim Kanaan to formulate these proposals
as a result of the economic dialogue meeting held on Monday in Baabda, aims to
avoid the economic and social repercussions of what some considered as “gaps,”
in the approved scale and taxes. The two ministers had met shortly after
Monday's economic dialogue meeting at Baabda in order set new draft laws aiming
at tackling the “errors” in the wage scale and tax bills. Berri has called the
parliament for a meeting on Wednesday to study and approve draft laws listed on
the agenda of the two previous sessions last month that saw the approvals of the
salary scale and tax hike bills.
Parliament Scraps Controversial Rape-Marriage Law
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/August 16/17/The parliament approved on Wednesday
the annulment of a controversial law allowing rapists who marry their victims to
go free. Article 522 of the penal code, which exempts the rapist from punishment
in the event of his marriage to the victim, was scrapped during a legislative
session held at Nejmeh Square. Article 522 -- which deals with rape, assault,
kidnapping and forced marriage -- was approved by a parliamentary committee in
February. Lebanese activists have ramped up several campaigns to scrap the law.
The reviled article, which also deals with the rape of minors, allows offenders
to escape punishment by wedding their victims.
Parliament OKs New Governorate as Protesters Spell Out
Demands
Naharnet/August 16/17/In line of a legislative session set to convene on
Wednesday at Nejmeh Square in Downtown Beirut, a number of protesters rallied
adjacent to the parliament building in a bid to pressure the authorities into
approving their demands, as lawmakers approved the establishment of a new
governorate. Civil Defense volunteers gathered in Beirut's Riad al-Solh Square
demanding the parliament to sign a decree that makes them full-time employees.
They also demand that the retirement age be raised. On the other hand, contract
teachers at vocational schools demanded the parliament to approve their long
awaited rights, and threatened to escalate measures if they were not approved.
Moreover, contractual public secondary school teachers have threatened to block
the streets. Lebanese army veterans rallied in Riad al-Solh as they refused
installed payments for pensioners. Before the legislative session convened
Speaker Nabih Berri met with MP Ibrahim Kanaan, head of the parliamentary budget
and finance committee, and MP George Adwan. The Speaker has called the
parliament for the meeting to study and approve draft laws listed on the agenda
of the two previous sessions last month that saw the approvals of the salary
scale and tax hike bills. At the beginning of the meeting, Berri said: “The
parliament will turn into a permanent workshop, and a public session for
accountability will be held on a semi-weekly basis.”The lawmakers approved the
establishment of a new administrative division (governorate) of Keserwan-Jbeil.
MP Neemtallah Abi Nasr, who was the first to introduce the idea of establishing
said governorate, told the press: “The Keserwan-Jbeil governorate will be based
in Jounieh. We demand the allotment of the necessary funds in order to issue
decrees to establish it.”
Lebanese Army Shells IS Positions, Captures New Border
Areas
Associated Press/Naharnet/August 16/17/The Lebanese army continued pounding the
Islamic State positions along the Syrian border overnight, massing
reinforcements and pounding the area with artillery shells and rockets, the
National News Agency reported. The military shelled the IS posts on the
outskirts of Ras Baalbek and al-Qaa during the night. Early on Wednesday, the
military continued to target intermittently the posts of jihadists in said areas
and in Northern Bekaa town of al-Fakiha, NNA added. On Tuesday, the army said
that troops have advanced along the border with Syria, tightening the siege on
areas controlled by the IS group. The Lebanese army said in a statement that the
troops discovered bombs and explosive belts left behind by militants in areas
captured on the edge of the Lebanese border town of Arsal. It said that they
also found the body of an unknown man. Tuesday's advance came a day after
hundreds of insurgents and civilians returned to Syria from the Lebanon border
area as part of a deal negotiated with the Lebanese. With the departure of
members of the Saraya Ahl al-Sham rebel group and al-Qaida-linked fighters, only
IS remains in the border area. The Lebanese army has been preparing for an
all-out attack on IS positions along the Syrian border for weeks, massing
reinforcements and pounding the area with artillery shells and rockets. The
Syrian army and Hizbullah are preparing for a simultaneous attack on the Syrian
side of the border.
Aoun deems water dams' projects keystone for development of
production sectors
Wed 16 Aug 2017/NNA - President of the Republic, Michel Aoun, on Wednesday
deemed the establishment of water dams in Lebanon as an essential keystone for
the development of production sectors, notably the agricultural one. "The plan
for the establishment of water dams in Lebanon does not only aim at preserving
and investing in water wealth, but also considered an essential pillar in
strengthening the production sectors, especially the agricultural one,"
President Aoun said during an inspection tour on a number of water dams'
projects, currently under implementation in Al-Qaisamani, Buqata, Bala'a, Jannah
and Musaliha. Aoun said "the distribution of dams in the various Lebanese
territories, falls within the framework of achieving balanced development, which
he underlined in his oath speech. The President hailed the efforts of Water and
Energy Ministry to implement water dams' projects, pointing out that other dams'
projects will be implemented in a number of Lebanese regions in accordance with
the plan devised by the Ministry of Energy. Water and Energy Minister, Cesar Abi
Khalil gave a demonstration on the already accomplished stages in said dams and
the remaining work in this regard. The President was accompanied on his tour by
Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Gebran Bassil, and Minister of State for
Presidential Affairs Dr. Pierre Raffoul.
Hajj Hassan, Zoayter arrive in Syria to partake in Damascus
International Fair
Wed 16 Aug 2017/NNA - Industry Minister, Hussein Hajj Hassan, and Agriculture
Minister, Ghazi Zoayter, on Wednesday afternoon arrived in Syria to hold talks
with Syrian officials and to partake in the Damascus International Fair, at the
invitation of Syria's Trade and Foreign Trade Minister Mohammed Samer Al-Khalil.
Ministers Hajj Hassan and Zoayter are accompanied by a delegation of
representatives of the private sector. Upon arrival at Jdaidet Yabous crossing
point, Minister Hajj Hassan said that they shall be meeting with several Syrian
officials. Minister Zoayter, for his part, said that the activation of already
signed agreements between Lebanon and Syria falls in the interest of both
countries and peoples.It is noteworthy that the events of the 59th session of
Damascus International Fair will be launched on Thursday under the auspices of
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, after a pause of 5 years.
Official Lebanese delegation bound for Burkina Faso to
transfer bodies of terror attack victims
Wed 16 Aug 2017/NNA - Tasked by Prime Minister Saad Hariri, the official
Lebanese delegation shall leave Beirut on Thursday morning to follow up on the
transfer of the bodies of the three Lebanese victims who fell in the terrorist
attack on the Turkish restaurant in Burkina Faso. The delegation, led by the
Higher Defense Council chief General Mohammed Kheir, includes the Honorary
Consul Joseph Hajj and victims' families. General Kheir will meet with the
families of the fallen victims and the Lebanese community in Burkina Faso, to
offer condolences and put all the needed capabilities at their disposal. General
Kheir will also secure all the necessary procedures for the transfer of the
victims' bodies to Lebanon on Sunday in principle.
Kanaa: Salary scale on track, expenditures control must include waste
Wed 16 Aug 2017 /NNA - Parliamentary Finance Committee chairman, Ibrahim Kanaan,
said on Wednesday that the parliament will hold weekly meetings to discuss draft
laws related to the salary scale - projects around which there has been a
consensus. Kanaan said the salary scale will follow the legal channels after the
publication of the law in the official gazette. According to his remarks, the
amendments on the salary scale law concern families of martyrs, and wounded and
disabled persons. Kanaan said certain amendments concerned the cancellation of
double taxation as to liberal professions and the cancellation of taxes on
alcohol products. The Parliament member explained that a bill has been drafted
to preserve the judges' retirement fund. Concerning the financing of the salary
scale and the amendments on this law, Kanaan said these issues will be put on
track in the coming days. He concluded, however, that the control of expenditure
must include waste, and it should in no way affect the rights of those who
devote themselves to the service of the State.
Iran building long-range rocket factory in Syria - Israeli
TV/Report: Iran and Russia violated UN weapons sanctions
Asharq Al Awsat/August 16/17/Reuters 16/17/"We vehemently oppose the military
buildup by Iran and its proxies."An Israeli television report said on Tuesday
that Iran is building a facility in northwest Syria to manufacture long-range
rockets, and showed satellite images it said were of the site under
construction. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned last week that
Iran was strengthening its foothold in its ally Syria as Islamic State fighters
were being displaced, and said Israel was watching developments and would act
against any threat. "Our policy is clear: We vehemently oppose the military
buildup by Iran and its proxies, primarily Hezbollah, in Syria and we will do
whatever it takes to protect Israel's security," he said in a speech. The
Channel 2 television news report showed images it said were taken by an Israeli
satellite showing a site in northwest Syria near the Mediterranean coastal town
of Baniyas, saying some of the construction indicated explosives would be stored
there. It compared images of buildings it said were of a rocket factory near
Tehran to structures at the Syrian site, and said there was a strong resemblance
between them. Netanyahu has been harshly critical of a 2015 deal that six world
powers including the United States under then-president Barack Obama struck with
Iran to curb its nuclear program in return for an end to multilateral sanctions.
Iran is Israel's avowed enemy, and Israel argues that the agreement fails to
prevent Iranian weapons posing a threat to its very existence. Iran says its
nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. The United States last month
slapped new economic sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile program and
said Tehran's "malign activities" in the Middle East had undercut any "positive
contributions" from the 2015 accord curbing its nuclear program. US President
Donald Trump has frequently criticized the agreement as being too soft on
Tehran, which remains subject to a UN arms embargo and other restrictions. US
news reports have said that Israeli intelligence officials will discuss the
situation in Syria and Lebanon with US counterparts in Washington this week.
Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And News published on
August 16-17/17
Riyadh Says Iran Spreading
Terrorism, Cannot be Negotiated with
Asharq Al Awsat/August
16/17/Jeddah- Saudi Arabia has stressed its firm position to reject any form of
rapprochement with the Iranian regime which spreads terrorism in the region and
the world and meddles in the affairs of other countries, an official source at
the foreign ministry said.Riyadh has not requested any mediation in any way with
Iran, the source was quoted as saying by t he Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on
Wednesday. The source pointed out that what has been circulated in the news in
this regard is completely false. The source stressed “the Kingdom’s adherence to
its firm position that rejects any rapprochement with the Iranian regime which
is spreading terrorism and extremism in the region and the world and is
interfering in the affairs of other countries.”The Kingdom believes that the
current Iranian regime can not be negotiated with after a long experience has
shown that it does not respect diplomatic rules and norms and the principles of
international relations, the state-run agency quoted the source as saying. The
statement also accused the Iranian regime of “lying and distorting facts.” It
warned from “the danger of the Iranian regime and its aggressive orientations to
peace and world stability,” urging all countries to work to deter it from its
hostile actions and compel it to comply with international law, United Nations
resolutions, and diplomatic norms and regulations.
UAE: Qatar Must Meet 13 Demands to Return to GCC
Asharq Al Awsat/August 16/17/London, Dubai – UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign
Affairs Anwar Gargash reiterated that Qatar’s way out of the current crisis is
based on the 13 demands presented by the countries fighting terrorism, urging
Doha to come to Riyadh willing to negotiate the crisis with the quartet. Gargash
stated in a series of tweets on Tuesday that the sovereignty slogans raised by
Qatar at the beginning of the crisis are insufficient, adding: “I wished Qatar
had a wiser management for the crisis.” He went on, “Qatar’s arrogant stance
accuses UAE of starting the campaign against it”, stating that Qatar is burning
bridges with its neighbors and is relying on external influences to mediate the
crisis, which will result in deepening the crisis. Gargash wondered about the
reason for publicizing Hajj season and the shameful media coverage of Awamiyah
incidents in Saudi Arabia. Gargash said in another tweet that it was unfortunate
“when illusions dominate realities”. The Minister referred to unnamed media
outlets broadcasting messages that are “not befitting of the environment of a
hereditary monarchy, which has to tolerate it.”Speaking about Leader of Sadrist
Movement Muqtada Sadr’s visit to UAE, Garqash said that the promising actions of
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman along with UAE and Bahrain towards Iraq is the
perfect example of the great influence Gulf states have once they unite their
goals.
He also said that Shiekh Mohammed bin Zayed received Sadr as part of Gulf
communicating with Iraq, adding that UAE wants to see Iraq a united stable
state. Meanwhile, Qatar’s foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al
Thani said on Tuesday it will take a lot of time to rebuild any trust between
sparring Gulf countries because of the region’s continuing diplomatic crisis.
“Qatar has always been one of the founders of the GCC organization and we still
consider that this has a great importance for all of us in the region,” he told
reporters. Speaking about GCC, the Minister said that this organization has been
built on a strategical security and on trust, however, he added that
unfortunately with the crisis, trust is missing, but hoped it will be restored.
Bouteflika Sacks Algerian Prime Minister
Asharq Al Awsat/August 16/17/Algiers– Sacking the Algerian Prime Minister could
be the beginning of power struggle over the succession of Algerian President
Abdelaziz Bouteflika, according to observers. In less than three months after
appointing him, Bouteflika sacked Prime Minister Abdelmadjid Tebboune on
Tuesday, according to a presidential statement carried by state media.
“President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Tuesday relieved Prime Minister Abdelmadjid
Tebboune of his duties and appointed Ahmed Ouyahia,” the statement added.
Ouyahia, 65, served three terms as prime minister and most recently was
Bouteflika’s chief of staff. He is also leader of the National Rally for
Democracy (RND), and during May’s parliamentary election he won absolute
majority in the parliament along with Bouteflika’s National Liberation Front (FLN).
Bouteflika is expected to name the new government soon, although reports say
that Ouyahia will most likely maintain the majority of the ministers of
Tebboune’s cabinet, except Minister of Industry. Political observers stated that
it is possible that Bouteflika assigned Ouyahia as prime minister in an attempt
to “kill his political dream” of becoming president before the 2019 presidential
elections. For his part, Tebboune avoided to comment on his departure. He said
“All I can say is that I’m still faithful to President Bouteflika.” Few weeks
after his assignment as the PM, Tebboune entered a public media war with
prominent businessman Ali Haddad who is also close to Said Bouteflika, the
president’s brother and special adviser. As prime minister Tebboune was leading
the austerity drive, he also spoke out about the need to separate money from
politics. News about his dismissal was surprising for his supporters, especially
after the rise in his popularity on social media. Few days ago, Algeria seemed
to be witnessing an open political crisis after the President gave the former PM
Tebboune instructions through the private TV Channel al-Nahhar. According to
Algerian law, Nahhar is a foreign and not considered part of the official
channels. The president’s instructions included several warnings to Tebboune’s
ministers to stop meddling with businessmen and investors and asked them to
refer to the law in case of violations. The president said that such behavior is
bad publicity for the country. FLN Secretary General Djamel Ould Abbes
reiterated that Bouteflika is the ruler of this country and there is no
alternative authority. Speaking before party commanders, Abbes said he wouldn’t
analyze what the president did since he is the decision maker and aware of all
aspects of the issues. Founder of opposition party New Generation (Jil Jadid)
Sofiane Djilali said that ever since the president appeared at the funeral of
former PM Reda Malek and his public provocation of the PM, Algerians realized
that the internal balances of the system are broken. Djilali said that the
President’s alleged reprimand to PM Tebboune made it clear that the regime is
divided. He explained that it had been agreed among the president’s entourage
that he will continue in position no matter his condition or illness duration,
meanwhile people around him will prepare for succeeding him. Djilali claimed
that Tabboune and his supporters were against the “militia deviation of the
president’s clique threatening civil peace and security.”According to Djilali,
it is no longer acceptable for the other party in power to overlook the
unconstitutional decisions made in the name of an irresponsible president who
has nothing left other than his title. This public crisis will not be over with
the departure of the PM, stated Djilali, adding that the failing system suffers
from presidential vacuum and impersonation. Former Trade Minister and opposition
figure Noureddine Boukrouh stated that it was pertinent if the President
summoned the PM or spoke with him on the phone rather than speaking about him in
the media like he is some sort of criminal to be arrested. “Whether those
actions and statements came from the president, his brother, or his chief of
staff, they are still nonsensical actions. And if indeed the orders attributed
to the president were issued by him, this means we’re ruled by a man who is not
just physically ill, but also mentally incompetent,” Boukrouh declared, adding
that this requires the president’s dismissal.
Escalation in Southern Syria amid Demands to Amend
Truce
Asharq Al Awsat/August 16/17/Beirut, Tel
Aviv- Syria’s southeastern areas witnessed military escalation on Tuesday as
opposition factions said they brought down a Syrian jet, only few days after
regime forces and their allies reached the Jordanian border, amid requests to
amend the “southern truce.”Saad al-Haj, spokesman for the Osoud al Sharqiya
rebel group, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the rebels shot down a Russian-built MiG
in the eastern countryside of Souweida using anti-aircraft guns. Al-Haj said
that the pilot is alive and is in custody of the Free Syrian Army after falling
in a parachute before his jet crashed. “Rebels are interrogating him to get the
needed information, and learn his name and military rank. Later, a statement
including all the details will be issued,” he said. Damascus also confirmed the
news saying that one of its jets crashed in southern Syria but did not say what
caused the crash. The development coincides with battles launched by opposition
factions in the desert, where regime forces are advancing with the help of
extensive air coverage. Meanwhile, an Israeli security delegation leaves to
Washington next week to conduct talks with high-ranking officials at the White
House and with the US security apparatus. A military source said that the
delegation would also tackle the truce agreement in southern Syria and its
repercussions, adding that “Israel is not pleased with the current agreement
that the US and Russia are drafting, because it fails to respect its
interests.”The sources added: “It is very normal that Israel seeks to change
it.” Meanwhile, Russia is working with opposition factions to draft a new truce
agreement in the eastern Ghouta of Damascus as regime forces continue to pound
the area, violating a ceasefire agreement signed with opposition factions last
month.
Moscow Supports Haftar’s Counter-Terrorism Efforts,
Salama Meets Politicians in Misrata
Asharq Al Awsat/August 16/17/Cairo- Russia had announced Tuesday that it
supports the efforts exerted by Commander of Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa
Haftar’s forces to combat terrorism while Haftar stressed his determination to
continue the fight against terrorism until the liberation of all cities in
Libya. Haftar’s office said in a statement on Tuesday that the Russian message
was received during his meeting with the Russian Minister of Defense Sergei
Shoigu in the latter’s headquarter in Moscow. The statement said that Shoigu
expressed his appreciation for the great sacrifices made by the national army in
the fight against terrorism and congratulated the Libyan leader and the Libyans
for liberating the city of Benghazi from terrorist groups. Shoigu stressed the
Russian leadership will stand by the Libyan armed forces in their fight against
terrorism in order to achieve security and stability in Libya and its regional
surrounding, according to the statement. Meanwhile, Fatou Bensouda, Chief
Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), announced the issuance of
a warrant for the arrest of Mahmoud Mustafa Busayf al-Werfalli, a senior Libyan
military commander allied with Khalifa Haftar. “I filed an under seal
application with Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC for a warrant of arrest to be
issued against al-Werfalli, a Major in the al-Saiqa forces, on charges of murder
as a war crime under the Rome Statute for his direct participation in seven
separate rounds of executions, in which a total of 33 people were murdered in
cold blood in Benghazi or surrounding areas,” Bensouda said in a statement.
“Such egregious crimes, including the cruel and dehumanizing manner by which
they were perpetrated against helpless victims, must be stopped. Accountability
for atrocity crimes is better suited to advance the ends of peace and stability,
not more violence,” the statement said. Bensouda added that the Pre-Trial
Chamber granted her request and issued a warrant of arrest against al-Werfalli,
and that her office’s pursuit of justice and the fight against impunity in Libya
continues. However, she expressed concern that the challenge now is the
execution of the warrant of arrest and the surrender of al-Werfalli to the
custody of the ICC. Bensouda also appealed to the international community to
cooperate and assist Libya, as needed, to ensure the arrest and surrender of al-Werfalli
to the ICC without delay and equally called on the UNSC to support such efforts.
For his part, newly-appointed UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame visited Libya’s
third largest city of Misrata on Tuesday and held talks with political and
community leaders of the city. Salame, the special representative of the UN
Secretary-General and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, met with
officials of Misrata’s Municipal Council, community leaders and Misrata
University students, and he discussed the city’s needs and future vision. He
also commended Misrata’s contribution to fighting terrorism, efforts to build
one united, sovereign Libya and sacrifices made by the city’s residents to
achieve stability and security across Libya. He stressed that Libya can emerge
from the crisis despite challenges ahead. Addressing the students in Misrata
University, Salame vowed to be unbiased and to find a new mechanism for dialogue
among the Libyan conflicting parties so that they reach a consensus to amend the
Libyan Political Agreement (LPA).
Al-Azhar Rejects Tunisia’s Call for Gender Equality
in Inheritance
Asharq Al Awsat/August 16/17/Cairo- The
calls of Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi for gender equality in marriage
and inheritance began on Tuesday to take a regional dimension after several Arab
regional institutions commented on the issue. Essebsi had called for the
abolition of a circular that banned Tunisian Muslim women from taking non-Muslim
husbands and to amend inheritance laws to allow equality between male and female
inheritors. In this regard, Egypt’s Al-Azhar criticized the move. Deputy of Al-Azhar
Sheikh Abbas Shuman said equality in inheritance is “unjust for women and is not
in line with Islamic Sharia.” In a statement, Sheikh Shuman said: “The call for
equality in inheritance between genders is unfair because women can already
inherit more than men in certain situations.”As an example, Shuman said a mother
would receive a bigger share of her deceased daughter’s legacy, as the mother
receives one-third while the brother inherits only one-sixth. He also commented
on the law to allow for marriage between a non-Muslim man and a Muslim woman,
saying that such a move is not in the interests of either women or men. “Such a
marriage would obstruct the stability of marriage,” the Sheikh said. Under the
current law, a Tunisian Muslim woman is banned from marrying a non-Muslim man
unless he converts to Islam. In a speech marking Women’s Day on Sunday, Essebsi
said he had set up a committee to look into his proposals and present a report.
On Monday, Tunisian Islamic scholars at Diwan al-Ifta issued a statement in
support to the president’s proposed changes. The scholars said that Essebsi’s
proposals “support the status of women, guarantee and activate the principle of
equality between men and women in the rights and duties called for by Islam,” in
addition to the international conventions ratified by Tunisia in this regard.
Iraq Oil Minister: Establishment of Iraqi-Saudi
Coordination Council a Significant Step
Asharq Al Awsat/August 16/17/Baghdad-
Iraqi Oil Minister Jabar Ali al-Luaibi returned on Tuesday to Baghdad after an
official visit to Riyadh, where he held meetings with senior Saudi officials.
The minister’s office revealed in a press release that “the kingdom will
implement a number of health and humanitarian projects at its expense, including
two hospitals in Baghdad and Basra. It will also allocate funds in Saudi
universities, open border crossings and establish free trade zones.”He added
that Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Mohammed bin Salman has
affirmed the kingdom’s support to Iraq with all its components without any
sectarian discrimination, and keenness to reinforce and activate bilateral ties
in various fields. Following the meeting between Luiabi and bin Salman, the
Iraqi official stated that the vice-custodian stressed the importance of
activating the Iraqi-Saudi coordination council to accelerate the execution of
agreements in the fields of oil, energy, industry, minerals, technology,
investment, agriculture, trade exchange and banks. Commenting on the
establishment of the coordination council, Luaibi described it as a significant
step towards cementing and developing bilateral ties between the two fraternal
states. In Jeddah, he met Saudi Trade and Investment Minister Dr. Majid bin
Abdullah al-Qasabi and they agreed on taking practical steps that would promote
bilateral ties – one of them is the prospective visit of Qasabi to Iraq. On his
meeting with Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, Luiabi said that Jubeir expressed
the kingdom’s keenness to develop Saudi-Iraqi ties and take practical steps to
reach an integrated partnership.
China Tells US, North Korea to 'Hit the Brakes' on Threats
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/August 16/17/China is telling the U.S. and North
Korea to "hit the brakes" on threatening words and actions and work toward a
peaceful resolution of their dispute, in a sign of growing concern over the
standoff on the part of Pyongyang's only major ally. Foreign Minister Wang Yi
said in a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, that
the two countries should work together to contain tensions and permit no one to
"stir up an incident on their doorstep," according to a statement posted on the
Chinese foreign ministry's website. "The most important task at hand is for the
U.S. and North Korea to 'hit the brakes' on their mutual needling of each other
with words and actions, to lower the temperature of the tense situation and
prevent the emergence of an 'August crisis,'" Wang was quoted as saying in the
Tuesday conversation. The ministry quoted Lavrov as saying tensions could rise
again with the U.S. and South Korea set to launch large-scale military exercises
on Aug. 21. "A resolution of the North Korea nuclear issue by military force is
completely unacceptable and the peninsula's nuclear issue must be peacefully
resolved by political and diplomatic methods," Lavrov was quoted as saying.
China is North Korea's main economic partner and political backer, although
relations between Beijing and Pyongyang have deteriorated amid the North's
continuing defiance of China's calls for restraint. In recent months, China has
joined with Russia in calling for the U.S. to suspend annual military exercises
with South Korea in exchange for Pyongyang halting its missile and nuclear tests
as a first step toward direct talks. On Wednesday, the chairman of the U.S.
Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, continued a visit to
China following talks the day before with his Chinese counterpart that touched
on North Korea. No details of the talks have been released. Dunford on Tuesday
told Fang Fenghui, chief of the People's Liberation Army's joint staff
department, that the sides had "many difficult issues" between them but were
willing to deal with them through dialogue. On Monday, Dunford was in Seoul to
meet with senior South Korean military and political officials and the local
media, seeking to ease anxiety while showing his willingness to back President
Donald Trump's warnings if need be. The U.S. wants to peacefully resolve
tensions with North Korea, but Washington is also ready to use the "full range"
of its military capabilities, Dunford said. His visit to Asia, which also will
include a stop in Japan, comes after Trump last week declared the U.S. military
"locked and loaded" and said he was ready to unleash "fire and fury" if North
Korea continued to threaten the United States. North Korea's military on Tuesday
presented leader Kim Jong Un with plans to launch missiles into waters near the
U.S. territory of Guam and "wring the windpipes of the Yankees," even as both
Koreas and the United States signaled their willingness to avert a deepening
crisis, with each suggesting a path toward negotiations. The tentative interest
in diplomacy follows unusually combative threats between Trump and North Korea
amid worries Pyongyang is nearing its long-sought goal of being able to send a
nuclear missile to the U.S. mainland. Next week's start of U.S.-South Korean
military exercises that enrage the North each year could make diplomacy even
more difficult. During an inspection of the North Korean army's Strategic
Forces, which handles the missile program, Kim praised the military for drawing
up a "close and careful plan" and said he would watch the "foolish and stupid
conduct of the Yankees" a little more before deciding whether to order the
missile test, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said. Kim appeared in
photos sitting at a table with a large map marked by a straight line between
what appeared to be northeastern North Korea and Guam, and passing over Japan —
apparently showing the missiles' flight route. The missile plans were previously
announced. Kim said North Korea would conduct the launches if the "Yankees
persist in their extremely dangerous reckless actions on the Korean Peninsula
and its vicinity," warning the United States to "think reasonably and judge
properly" to avoid shaming itself, the news agency said. U.S. Secretary of State
Rex Tillerson told reporters in Washington on Tuesday, "We continue to be
interested in trying to find a way to get to dialogue, but that's up to (Kim)."
Lobbing missiles toward Guam, a major U.S. military hub in the Pacific, would be
deeply provocative from the U.S. perspective. A miscalculation on either side
could lead to military confrontation.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, meanwhile, a liberal who favors diplomacy,
urged North Korea to stop provocations and to commit to talks over its nuclear
weapons program. Moon, in a televised speech Tuesday on the anniversary of World
War II's end and the Korean Peninsula's liberation from Japanese colonial rule,
said Seoul and Washington agree that the nuclear standoff should "absolutely be
solved peacefully." He said no U.S. military action on the Korean Peninsula
could be taken without Seoul's consent. North Korea's military said last week
that it would finalize the plan to fire four ballistic missiles near Guam, which
is about 3,200 kilometers (2,000 miles) from Pyongyang. It would be a test of
the Hwasong-12, a new missile the country flight-tested for the first time in
May. The liquid-fuel missile is designed to be fired from road mobile launchers
and has been described by North Korea as built for attacking Alaska and Hawaii.
Israel Demolishes Home of Palestinian Who Stabbed 3 to
Death
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/August 16/17/Israeli forces demolished the home on
Wednesday of a Palestinian who fatally stabbed three Jewish residents of a
nearby settlement as tensions soared last month over Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque
compound. The military confirmed the demolition in the village of Kobar in the
occupied West Bank. Residents said that army vehicles and bulldozers entered the
area north of Ramallah around 3:00 am (0000 GMT) and surrounded the two-storey
house, one floor of which was still under construction. In recent weeks, Israeli
authorities also arrested the father, mother and three brothers of the
19-year-old attacker, Omar al-Abed, according to villagers. The family members
are suspected of having known of Abed's plans to carry out the attack in the
nearby Israeli settlement of Neve Tsuf, also known as Halamish, and of failing
to prevent it, Israeli media reported.
The Israeli army said the assailant had spoken of Al-Aqsa and of dying as a
martyr in a Facebook post. He was shot while carrying out the attack and later
arrested. The July 21 attack came with tensions high over the highly sensitive
mosque compound in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, known to Jews as the Temple
Mount. Violence erupted in and around the compound last month after three Arab
Israelis shot dead two policemen on July 14 before being killed by security
forces. Israel responded to the July 14 deadly shootings by installing metal
detectors at the entrance to the holy site, used as a staging point for the
attack. For nearly two weeks, worshippers refused to submit to the checks and
held mass prayers in surrounding streets. Ensuing protests and clashes left
seven Palestinians dead and the stabbings of the Israelis at the settlement was
carried out at the height of the tensions. The crisis abated when Israel removed
the detectors. The Jerusalem holy site, which includes the revered Al-Aqsa
mosque and the golden-topped Dome of the Rock, is the third-holiest in Islam and
the most sacred for Jews. Central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the
compound is located in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in 1967 and later
annexed in a move never recognised by the international community. Palestinians
fear Israel will gradually seek to assert further control over it, though Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said repeatedly he is committed to the status
quo. Israel regularly demolishes the homes of Palestinian attackers, calling it
a deterrent against future violence. However, human rights groups say it amounts
to collective punishment, with family members forced to suffer for the acts of
relatives.
Conflicts in Syria, Iraq Far From over Despite IS Setbacks
Despite the recapture of swathes of territory from the Islamic State group, the
conflicts in Iraq and Syria are far from over as their governments face major
political challenges, experts warn. In July the jihadists lost control of Iraq's
second city Mosul in a major setback three years after declaring a "caliphate"
straddling the two countries. Across the border around half of IS's de facto
Syrian capital Raqa has been retaken by US-backed fighters. But divisions across
political, religious and ethnic lines will again rise to the surface in Iraq
after the extremist group is driven out of its last bastions, said Mathieu
Guidere, an expert on jihadist organisations. A month before Iraq declared the
liberation of Mosul, the country's autonomous Kurdish region announced plans to
proceed with a referendum on statehood in September. The idea was not new but
its timing was criticised by Baghdad, which opposes Kurdish independence, and by
Washington, coming as it did with the anti-IS campaign still unfinished.
Analysts said the referendum is one of the many challenges facing the Iraq
government along with the presence of a Shiite paramilitary force in
Sunni-majority areas and the fate of minorities such as the Yazidis. How the
government deals with these thorny issues will determine whether it succeeds in
a post-IS era, experts said. The jihadist group "is the illustration -- violent,
long and complex -- of the dystrophy that reigns in Iraq", said Mohammad-Mahmoud
Ould Mohamedou, professor of international history at Geneva's Graduate Institue.
- New Iraq 'covenant' -Ould Mohamedou advocates a "new national covenant" for
Iraq that would allow the Shiite-dominated government to gain the trust of the
Sunni population and other minorities, particularly in the northern Mosul
region. At the same time the government will also have to skilfully deal with
the paramilitary Hashed al-Shaabi umbrella organisation which is dominated by
Iran-backed Shiite militias. Some of the components within Hashed al-Shaabi,
which battled IS in Iraq, have for years been sending fighters to support the
Syrian regime in its conflict with various rebel groups. Even as leaders in both
Iraq and Syria savour the setbacks inflicted by their forces on IS, they still
need to examine the reasons that led to the formidable rise of the jihadist
group.
After declaring "victory over brutality and terrorism" in Mosul, Iraqi Prime
Minister Haider al-Abadi said there were "lessons to be learned" to ensure his
country never again falls into the grip of IS. "Huge mistakes have been made,"
he said.
- 'Reorganisation, redeployment' -Syrian President Bashar al-Assad also faces
huge challenges in the country's multi-sided war, despite his forces being
backed by allies Russia, Iran and the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah in the
battle against jihadists and rebels. IS fighters are steadily losing chunks of
Raqa to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed Arab-Kurdish alliance
which broke into the northern city in June. A Russian-backed government
offensive has also targeted IS forces in the central Syrian desert. Analysts
said that if Raqa falls, the Kurdish fighters that dominate the SDF could clash
with regime troops. Assad "does not want an autonomous administration" taking
control of Raqa, said Syria expert and geographer Fabrice Balanche. Ould
Mohamedou said the war in Syria "goes beyond the question of IS," having erupted
six years ago with peaceful anti-government protests that were brutally put down
by the regime. "In the name of the fight against Islamist terrorism, more and
more Western governments have closed their eyes to the massacres perpetrated by
the Syrian regime," he said. The war in Syria has killed hundreds of thousands
of people while millions more have been displaced in the two countries.
Rebuilding infrastructure and restoring stability to allow the displaced to
return home will be a massive challenge. The United Nations has said the level
of destruction in Mosul alone is one of the largest and most complex challenges
it has faced. Unless all these challenges are tackled, IS jihadists driven out
of territory in Syria and Iraq could re-emerge as a more brutal and formidable
force. For IS "the key words now are reorganisation and redeployment", said
Guidere. Ould Mohamedou said that even if IS is defeated in Syria and Iraq "it
will bounce back elsewhere and... with a new look".
Manama: Qatar conspired to overthrow the regime in Bahrain
Staff writer, Al Arabiya English Wednesday, 16 August 2017/Bahrain reported on
Wednesday a connection between a senior official in the Qatari leadership and a
terrorist suspect. Manama confirmed that there was contact between Hamad bin
Jassim bin Jabr and terrorism suspect Ali Salman. Bahrain said Hamad bin Jassim
bin Jabr had protests in the country to continue in 2011. The Bahraini TV
broadcast a recording attributed to Hamad bin Jassim and Ali Salman, in which
they plot to destabilize the country's independence. It explained that the
Qatari initiative in coordination with the opposition called for the formation
of a transitional government in Bahrain within two months.The public prosecutor
investigated the telephone conversation between Hamad bin Jassim and Ali Salman
after it was revealed. Arabic phone conversation between Hamad bin Jassim and
Ali Salman
Explosive boat attack foiled targeting UAE ship
Staff writer, Al Arabiya English Wednesday, 16 August 2017/Yemeni forces
destroyed an explosives-laden boat targeting a United Arab Emirates military
vessel at Mokha port on Wednesday. A source at the port said that the foiled
terror attack was initiated by Houthi militias. A large explosion was heard
across the port when forces eliminated the threat before it reached the docked
ship. Earlier on Wednesday morning, Yemen National Army forces repelled a Houthi
militia attack south of Taiz city. The militia sustained heavy casualties in a
battle that involved the use of heavy weapons.
Saudi Arabia affirms it has never requested Iranian
mediation
By Staff Writer, Al Arabiya.net Wednesday, 16 August 2017/A Saudi official on
Wednesday said that the Kingdom has never requested Iranian mediation in its
affairs.Any news that says otherwise is false, he added. According to an SPA
report, the official said: “Saudi Arabia affirms its strong stance which rejects
any association in any shape or form with the Iranian regime which spreads
terrorism and extremism in the region and internationally, and interferes in
other countries’ matters.”
Iran negotiations
He continued noting that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia “sees that negotiations are
not possible with current Iranian system after time has shown that it is one
that doesn’t respect rules, diplomatic norms and the principles of diplomatic
relations.”“It is a system that continues to lie and distorts facts. The Kingdom
affirms the dangers of the Iranian regime and its hostile tendencies towards
international peace and stability, he added.”The Kingdom, he said, “calls upon
all countries of the world to work towards deterring the Iranian regime from its
aggressive actions and to compel it to comply with international law, United
Nations resolutions and diplomatic regulations and customs.”
False statements
Earlier, statements attributed to the Iraqi Minister of Interior, Qassem al-Aaragi,
claimed that the Kingdom had asked the Iraqi Prime Minister, Haydar al-Aabadi,
during his visit to Saudi Arabia to mediate with Iran. However, Aaragi issued
another statement proclaiming the statements were false. Speaking to Al Sumaria
News website, he said: “Saudi Arabia did not ask Aabadi to mediate between them
and Iran,” said a report they published on Monday.
Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published
on August 16-17/17
Japan Concerned over Low Inflation
Noah Smith/Bloomberg/August 16/17
Japan is the graveyard of economic theories. The country has had ultralow
interest rates and run huge government deficits for decades, with no sign of the
inflation that many economists assume would be the natural result. Now, after
years of trying almost every trick in the book to reflate the economy, the Bank
of Japan is finally bowing to the inevitable. The BOJ’s “dot plot” shows that
almost none of the central bank’s nine board members believe that the country
will reach its 2 percent inflation target: Accordingly, the bank has pushed back
the date at which it expects to hit its 2 percent target. That’s a little
comical, since by now it should be fairly obvious that the date will only get
pushed back again and again. If some outside force intervenes to raise inflation
to 2 percent, the BOJ will declare that it hit the target, but it’s pretty clear
it has absolutely no idea how to engineer a deliberate rise in inflation. The
bank will probably keep interest rates at zero indefinitely, but if decades of
that policy haven’t produced any inflation, what reason is there to think that
decades more will do the trick? Some economists think more fiscal deficits could
help raise inflation. That’s consistent with a theory called the “fiscal theory
of the price level,” or FTPL. But a quick look at Japan’s recent history should
make us skeptical of that theory — even as government debt has steadily climbed,
inflation has stumbled along at close to 0 percent: Japan’s situation should
also give pause to economists who want to resurrect the idea of the Phillips
Curve, which purports to show a stable relationship between unemployment and
inflation. Japan’s persistently low inflation comes even though essentially
everyone in Japan who wants a job has one. Basic econ theory says that as the
labor market gets tighter, competition should push up wages, which will then
boost consumer prices via increased demand and higher costs. In Japan, nothing
of the sort has happened — wages and prices show little sign of rising despite
the disappearance of unemployment. So much for the Phillips Curve. So Japan’s
experience underscores one central, disturbing truth: Economists really have no
idea how inflation works. It is simply a mystery. Macroeconomists have been
thinking about inflation for decades, but no real progress has been made in
understanding where it comes from or how to produce it with policy.
But that said, is Japan’s lack of inflation really such a bad thing? The
country’s per capita growth is pretty low, but that’s just because of population
aging. Measured in terms of real gross domestic product per employed person, the
country has been growing in recent years:
In other words, despite a near-total lack of inflation, Japan has managed to
grow and increase employment. That means Japan is in the midst of that rarest of
situations — a disinflationary boom.
In many ways, growth without inflation is the optimal outcome for an economy.
Price stability makes it easier for companies and workers to plan their pricing
and wage demands, while also reducing uncertainty for investors. Some
macroeconomists, especially monetarists, claim that disinflationary booms are
rare or nonexistent. But if it really is possible to have growth without
inflation, most would agree it should be done.
So despite all the hand-wringing over Japan’s low inflation, in many ways it’s
in a goldilocks situation. There’s just one catch — government debt.
In Dealing with North Korea, Trump Needs Allies
David Ignatius/The Washington Post/August 16/17
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has defiance in his blood. It’s said his
grandfather once asked what would happen if the United States defeated North
Korea in war, to which his father answered: “If we lose, I will be sure to
destroy the Earth. What good is the Earth without North Korea?”
President Trump has decided to confront what’s probably the most reckless,
risk-taking regime on the planet. His hope for a diplomatic solution depends on
convincing North Korea and China that he’s ready for the “fire and fury” of
nuclear war should negotiations fail. If Hollywood were pitching the story, it
would be “The Art of the Deal” meets “Dr. Strangelove.”
A careful look at the details of US military and diplomatic planning shows why
this confrontation would be so delicate and dangerous. Despite Trump’s
inflammatory rhetoric this week, the path ahead is really about finesse: Both
the military and diplomatic paths require close cooperation with regional
partners. The United States can’t go it alone in Korea, in either war or peace.
The danger is that Trump’s rhetoric could destabilize partners more than
adversaries.
Robert Work, a deputy defense secretary in the Obama administration who stayed
on and just left the Pentagon, explains: “A preemptive war to protect our
homeland from future attack is an option, but the major risks would be borne by
South Korea and Japan, which face the threat of missile attacks today.”
Let’s start by examining the military option. “OPLAN 5027,” as it’s known, is a
compendium of logistical details, but the basic premise is simple: The United
States would fight alongside South Korea to gain control of the peninsula, and
the Pentagon would need nearly two months to transport needed soldiers and
equipment.
This protracted prep period would be a time of nuclear brinkmanship. If Trump
decides that negotiations aren’t likely to succeed, he would presumably start
moving materiel and troops from the United States, Europe and the Middle East.
The cargo manifest would include armed drones, counter-battery artillery,
communications and intelligence gear, scores of planes and many thousands of
troops. The military calls it the “time-phased force and deployment List,” or
TPFDL.
All the while, as the United States conducts this 45-to-60-day buildup, Seoul
and its 10 million residents would be vulnerable to a preemptive North Korean
attack. What would Pyongyang do as the assault force gathers? Bargain, or
strike?
Significant civilian casualties would be inescapable if war comes. North Korea
has thousands of artillery tubes just across the Demilitarized Zone. If attacked
or threatened with decapitation, the regime could launch a barrage. The Pentagon
estimates that on the first day, North Korea could fire up to 100,000 rocket and
artillery rounds.
To protect the estimated 300,000 American civilians in Seoul from this artillery
inferno, the Pentagon plans to stage “noncombatant evacuation operations.”
Organizing planes and ships for so many people would be a nightmare, as would
the chaos among those left behind. Analysts estimate that an additional 1
million non-Koreans may live in the country, including many Chinese. How would
they get out? China might help in an evacuation, but at what political price?
The United States could try a lightning strike to preempt a North Korean attack,
perhaps using cyber and other exotic weapons. But the Pentagon cautions
policymakers that there isn’t a way to guarantee that North Korea couldn’t
launch a nuclear missile in response to such an attack. It would be a cosmic
roll of the dice. What about diplomatic options, if war is so scary? The Trump
administration has been working for months to encourage China to help broker
negotiations. To woo Beijing, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has pledged that
the United States doesn’t seek regime change or collapse in Pyongyang, won’t
support any quick Korean reunification and doesn’t want to send US troops north
of the 38th parallel. This formula satisfies Beijing’s conditions about the
future of the peninsula, and it should assuage some of Kim’s worries, too.
Tillerson, who is driving Korea policy (at least when Trump isn’t tweeting or
speaking publicly), told reporters that Kim can demonstrate he’s ready for talks
by halting missile tests.
The table is set for negotiations. Sources knowledgeable about China say that
party leaders are being briefed at their annual seaside retreat this month about
possible tougher moves to squeeze Kim, including a cut in oil deliveries or even
a naval blockade. At a moment that requires subtlety, Trump unwisely amped up
his rhetoric once more Thursday, warning the North Koreans of things “they never
thought possible.” He talks like the promoter of a WWE wrestling match. But this
is real.
Risks of Iran Nuclear Deal Collapse
Abdulrahman Al-Rashed/Asharq Al Awsat/August 16/17
We can sense fear in statements made by Iranian officials and most recently
President Hassan Rouhani who warned against the consequences of the big scheme’s
collapse – the reconciliation agreement with the West based on the nuclear deal
signed during the term of former US President Barack Obama.
The Congress shocked the Iranian government when it reinstated a number of
economic sanctions on Iran, and US President Donald Trump insisted on his stance
that the nuclear agreement serves Iran more than the US, threatening to abolish
it.
Countries of the European Union (EU) are keen to preserve the agreement, which
they believe it ushered in a new phase with the Iranian regime. Since signing
it, they rushed to seal huge trade deals with Tehran, a move that was previously
not possible because the US government would have put any European company that
dealt with Iran on the blacklist. Arab states, especially Gulf countries, were
the most provoked by this agreement. They were neither against sealing a deal
that eradicates the Iranian nuclear danger nor against dealing commercially with
Iran but objected over its high cost – extending Iran’s powers via fighting in
Syria, Yemen and Iraq and threatening other Arab states.
In case Iran considered that imposing sanctions abolishes the nuclear deal then
it will resume uranium enrichment, renewing tension. Iran offers the West two
options: its nuclear project that will threaten the West and Israel in the
future, or being allowed to have hegemony over the region.
Tehran used the second option as a weapon to blackmail the West: Obama’s
administration struck with it a deal that only aims at halting its nuclear
program, allowing it to enjoy its powers in several areas, including those that
the US considers as interest zones such as the Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan and
Pakistan.
Yet, Iran’s commitment to ceasing the nuclear project is a significant progress
that makes Iran worthy of the removal of economic and commercial sanctions. But
Obama’s administration went so far in its concessions and allowed Tehran to wage
wars, for the first time and in a direct manner, even in states not lying on its
border such as Syria and Yemen.
The nuclear agreement is partially responsible for the region’s chaos.
There are more than 50,000 extremists fighting in Syria – directed by the
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and brought in from various countries
at the time when the international community was endeavoring to get rid of
extremist groups such as ISIS.
Because the nuclear agreement was negotiated discreetly between the Obama and
Rouhani teams, the region hasn’t been aware of its details until recently – the
Obama administration left behind it a dangerous mine. Iran has become more
aggressive after signing the agreement, this is evident.
The deal might succeed in disrupting the nuclear project for another decade but
it has fueled a more dangerous war in the Middle East and posed an unprecedented
level of threat to regimes since the revolution in Iran in 1979. It also
reinforced extremists in Tehran.
The new Iranian threats against the US economic sanctions must be taken
seriously because they trigger Iran’s way of imposing what it wants via violence
and chaos. But the US relapse in Syria represents a huge tactical mistake
because Syria is where Iran can be besieged and obliged to cooperate regionally
and internationally. There is a contradiction here because Washington is
escalating with Iran on the nuclear level and allowing it to operate freely on
the Syrian front.
The View From the Kremlin: Survival Is Darwinian
Maxim Trudolyubov/The New York Times/August 16/17
MOSCOW — In a rare move, the United States Congress has voted to intensify
sanctions against Russia, and President Trump has signed them into law. Even
before the American leader put pen to paper last week, President Vladimir Putin
of Russia fired back by demanding the removal of hundreds of Americans and
Russians from the staffs at American diplomatic missions in Russia.
Mr. Putin had watched the United States turn an already painful list of
sanctions from an easily reversible presidential decree into a law that would be
next to impossible to repeal any time soon — a sorry result of a policy that the
Kremlin had adopted in hopes of lifting sanctions altogether.
Indeed, Moscow had suspended an earlier threat of a symmetrical response when,
in 2016, President Barack Obama upgraded sanctions in reaction to indications
that Russian hackers had interfered in the American election to help Mr. Trump.
With a Trump presidency about to begin, Mr. Putin was waiting for a possible
improvement in Russian-American rapport. But now the only conceivable source of
those hopes, Mr. Trump himself, is not delivering.
So the debacle left Mr. Putin with no option but retaliation. On Wednesday, the
Kremlin softened the impact a bit by saying it would not retaliate beyond the
measures already announced. But that still left a paradox: While Mr. Trump’s
hands in conducting a Russia policy were now tied by Congress, Mr. Putin was
left free to experiment.
To be sure, America can inflict more economic pain on Russia than Russia can on
America. But recent experience shows that Russia does not let debacles faze it.
Instead, it often unleashes a creativity born of desperation, rather than
acceptance of being trapped in a foreign-policy cul-de-sac.
Another way to say that is that the Kremlin makes drastic policy moves when
pushed by a ticking clock. Spurred by the moment, Mr. Putin often finds a new
feat to perform.
Annexing Crimea in March 2014 was such a move. The debacle then was the collapse
of a Russia-supported political coalition that had ruled Ukraine since the mid
2000s. The Kremlin had been increasing its pressure on Ukraine’s president at
the time, Viktor Yanukovych, who then encountered only more resistance — and
finally an ouster — from Ukrainians.
One reason for the Kremlin’s behavior may have been its strong belief that any
popular movement has “weapon-grade” potential — an outlook that depicted the
Ukrainian resistance to Mr. Yanukovych as an act of global political warfare,
with the West manipulating Ukrainians against Moscow.
The Kremlin’s response was telling. It did not try to build bridges with
Ukrainian society or its new government. In other words, Mr. Putin was not
addressing his response to Ukrainians as much as he was responding to a
strategic challenge from “the West.” His move was designed to deal a blow to a
Western-sponsored security architecture in Europe, and to its
double-standard-bearing underwriter, the United States.
In Syria as well, Moscow has been responding not so much to that small divided
nation as to the West. This is the move of an embattled grandmaster of
geopolitics, not just a new actor belatedly entering a regional drama. In 2015
it was becoming clear that Russia’s Syria policy was failing; the regime of its
ally, Bashar al-Assad, was on the brink of collapse. As Kremlin thinking went,
it was not Moscow whose policies were failing; it was the United States and its
sidekicks who were preparing another debacle like Libya — the murder of a
secular ruler that would open the floodgates for all kinds of dangerous new
forces.
Mr. Putin had long opposed Western interventionist policies and explained many
of the world’s political crises as Western-sponsored regime-change operations.
So a demise of his ally would have been a personal defeat for his worldview.
This is why Russian military intervention in Syria, starting in September 2015,
was not, from Moscow’s vantage point, about Syria proper; it was and is about
Russia’s opposition to the West. While the United States tries to deal with
Russia one on one, Russia sees itself dealing with a global conspiracy led by
Washington.
The sanctions approved last week are a new debacle commensurate with the
failures of Russia’s early Ukraine or Syria policies, both of which Moscow
mitigated somewhat with surprise comebacks that humbled the West.
But this time the standoff is more principled and, in the eyes of Americans,
much closer to home. Moscow is accused of an attempt to hack or influence not
just a bunch of computers but the United States’ executive office itself. I
remain an agnostic as to whether the Kremlin has really attempted to intervene
in the thick of America’s electoral process, but there is little doubt that
Moscow was heavily invested in the outcome of the 2016 elections. Hillary
Clinton was seen in Moscow as an initiator of an attempt to use Russia’s 2011
parliamentary elections to overthrow Mr. Putin’s regime. Whatever Moscow was
doing to try to disrupt the American election was, in Moscow’s view, a
tit-for-tat — the usual thing a self-respecting world power would do to foreign
conspirators.
One recent conversation I participated in illuminated these issues and brought,
at least in my mind, some historical perspective to Mr. Putin’s vision. With the
historian Timothy Snyder, the author of “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons From the
Twentieth Century,” we were discussing the political and economic sensibilities
the Soviet rulers had when they were taking over Eastern and Central European
societies after World War II.
Mr. Snyder put it this way, referring to the Soviet political police: “When the
N.K.V.D. arrives in Eastern Poland, the essence of their reports back to Moscow
is something like this: ‘We have found some Poles, and we have found some
Ukrainians, and they are part of the same conspiracy, they are run by the
international capitalism, they are all taking orders from the British.’ Now,
that was completely incorrect. The British are not in charge, the Poles and
Ukrainians are fighting against each other, the various groups the N.K.V.D.
encounter have different and usually incompatible goals.
“But the important thing,” Mr. Snyder continued, “is that ideology gives the
N.K.V.D. certainty about what they see and confidence about what they are going
to do, which is to penetrate and destroy these groups. So, you can be totally
wrong and you can be effective.”
With formal official ideology long dead, we may never know precisely what
theories the Kremlin adheres to these days, but we may be sure that it has full
confidence in its presumptions. In fact, Mr. Putin may be right about many
things. International relations are no place for moralists. Many political,
business and military projects do have global reach and are competitive in
nature.
But the problem with his type of approach, in its Kremlin variety, is that it
seems to equate international competition with a Darwinian fight for survival.
The very audacity of Moscow’s moves must be driven by a feeling of an
existential threat. Many of the world’s countries may compete for dominance in
specific markets and for political influence, but Russia is distinct in that it
seems to fight for survival in situations that no one else sees as existential.
This, to me, serves as an explanation of why Moscow often stands out as one of
the world’s most unpredictable actors. The costs are mostly paid by the Russian
people and, obliquely, by most other nations, especially Russia’s neighbors,
because the price of constant uncertainty is punishingly expensive military
spending and rising threats to peace and prosperity.
Europe: Migrant Crisis Reaches Spain
Soeren Kern/Gatestone Institute/August 16/17
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/10840/spain-migrant-crisis
"The biggest migration movements are still ahead: Africa's population will
double in the next decades. A country like Egypt will grow to 100 million
people, Nigeria to 400 million. In our digital age with the internet and mobile
phones, everyone knows about our prosperity and lifestyle." — German Development
Minister Gerd Müller.
"Young people all have cellphones and they can see what's happening in other
parts of the world, and that acts as a magnet." — Michael Møller, Director of
the United Nations office in Geneva.
"If we do not manage to solve the central problems in African countries, ten, 20
or even 30 million immigrants will arrive in the European Union within the next
ten years." — Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament.
Spain is on track to overtake Greece as the second-biggest gateway for migrants
entering Europe by sea. The sudden surge in migration to Spain comes amid a
crackdown on human smuggling along the Libya-Italy sea route, currently the main
migrant point of entry to Europe.
The westward shift in migration routes from Greece and Italy implies that Spain,
situated only ten miles from Africa by sea, may soon find itself at the center
of Europe's migration crisis.
More than 8,300 illegal migrants have reached Spanish shores during the first
seven months of 2017 — three times as many as in all of 2016, according to the
International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Thousands more migrants have entered Spain by land, primarily at the Spanish
enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla on the north coast of Morocco, the European
Union's only land borders with Africa. Once there, migrants are housed in
temporary shelters and then moved to the Spanish mainland, from where many
continue on to other parts of Europe.
In all, some 12,000 migrants have arrived in Spain so far this year, compared to
13,246 for all of 2016. By comparison, 14,156 migrants have arrived in Greece so
far in 2017.
Italy remains the main migrant gateway to Europe, with around 97,000 arrivals so
far this year, compared to 181,436 for all of 2016. Italy has been the main
point of entry to Europe since the EU-Turkey migrant deal, signed in March 2016,
shut off the route from Turkey to Greece, at one time the preferred point of
entry to Europe for migrants from Asia and the Middle East. Almost 600,000
migrants have arrived in Italy during the past four years.
Migrants wait to be rescued by crewmembers from the Migrant Offshore Aid Station
(MOAS) Phoenix vessel on June 10, 2017 off Lampedusa, Italy. (Photo by Chris
McGrath/Getty Images)
In May, Italy signed a deal with Libya, Chad and Niger to stem the flow of
migrants across the Mediterranean through improved border controls. In July,
Italy also reached a deal with France and Germany to tighten the regulation of
charities operating boats in the Mediterranean and to increase funds to the
Libyan coast guard.
Since then, the Libyan coast guard has prevented thousands of migrants from
leaving the Libyan coast for Italy. The crackdown, however, has sent would-be
migrants scrambling for an alternative route to cross the Mediterranean. This
appears to explain the increase in migrants arriving in Spain.
On August 14, Frontex, the European Union's border agency, reported that the
number of African migrants arriving in Italy from Libya had dropped by more than
half in July compared to the month before. During this period, the number of
migrants arriving in Spain rose sharply.
Frontex said that 10,160 migrants had arrived in Italy by sea in July — 57%
fewer than in June and the lowest level of arrivals for a July since 2014.
According to Frontex, 2,300 migrants made it to Spain in July, more than four
times as many as the year before. Most of the migrants arriving in Italy and
Spain are believed to be economic migrants seeking a better life in Europe, not
refugees fleeing war zones.
"The vast majority of migrants crossing to Italy from Libya come from Senegal,
Gambia, Guinea and other west African countries," said Joel Millman, an IOM
spokesman, in an interview with the Financial Times. "Given the crackdown on
migration from Libya, it seems natural that many would forsake the dangerous
dessert [sic] crossing to Libya and choose to cross from Morocco."
Julio Andrade, a city councilor in Málaga, a port city in southern Spain, called
it "the balloon effect." In an interview with the Irish Times, he said: "If you
squeeze one area, the air goes elsewhere. If there is a lot of police pressure
and arrests of mafias around the Mediterranean routes via Greece and Italy, for
example, then the mafias will look for other routes."
Spanish authorities have reported that there is a surge in African migrants
attempting to cross the land border at Ceuta by scaling fences that are up to
six meters (20 feet) tall and topped by razor wire. Spanish Interior Minister
Juan Ignacio Zoido said there were 2,266 attempts to jump the perimeter at Ceuta
during the first seven months of 2017, compared to a total of 3,472 attempts in
all of 2016.
On August 7, more than 300 mostly sub-Saharan Africans ambushed Spanish and
Moroccan security forces and stormed the border crossing at El Tarajal; 186
migrants made it onto Spanish territory. On August 8, more than a thousand
migrants armed with spears and rocks attempted to breach the same crossing. On
August 9, Spanish authorities closed the border for a week. On August 10, around
700 migrants stormed the border; 200 migrants were arrested.
Meanwhile, on August 9, a video showed a rubber boat carrying dozens of migrants
arrive at a beach full of sunbathers in Cádiz. José Maraver, the head of a
rescue center in nearby Tarifa, told the Telegraph that a second boat had landed
on another beach in the area and that this scene was now a regular occurrence.
"Every day there are boats, every day there is migration," he said. "The
situation is getting very complicated."
Migrants are also using other means to reach Spain. On August 6, for example,
four Moroccans reached the coast of Málaga on jet skis. During July and August,
police intercepted at least two dozen migrants using jet skis to cross over to
Spain. On August 10, police using motion detectors and thermal imaging sensors
found 56 migrants, including 14 children, hiding inside trucks en route from
Ceuta to the mainland ferry port in Algeciras.
In an August 9 editorial, Spain's El País newspaper said that it was "obvious
that migratory pressure has moved to the western Mediterranean and there is no
indication that this situation will change in the near future." It added:
"The migratory pressure Spain has experienced during the past several weeks is
an increase of such dimensions that it exceeds all measures of surveillance and
control. The massive entry of sub-Saharan people across the border of Ceuta,
whether by jumping the fence or crossing the El Tarajal border, reveals the
enormous difficulties in stopping the entry of those fleeing war, famine or
economic hardship....
"The management of migratory flows requires a strong European policy and
sufficient economic resources. Spain cannot stand alone as the guardian of
southern Europe."
German Development Minister Gerd Müller recently warned that Europe must prepare
for the arrival of millions more migrants from Africa:
"The biggest migration movements are still ahead: Africa's population will
double in the next decades. A country like Egypt will grow to 100 million
people, Nigeria to 400 million. In our digital age with the internet and mobile
phones, everyone knows about our prosperity and lifestyle."
The director of the United Nations Office in Geneva, Michael Møller, has echoed
those concerns:
"What we have been seeing is one of the biggest human migrations in history. And
it's just going to accelerate. Young people all have cellphones and they can see
what's happening in other parts of the world, and that acts as a magnet."
The President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, said that in order to
staunch the flow of migrants from Africa, the European Union would need to
invest billions and develop a long-term strategy to stabilize the continent: "If
we do not manage to solve the central problems in African countries, ten, 20 or
even 30 million immigrants will arrive in the European Union within the next ten
years."
*Soeren Kern is a Senior Fellow at the New York-based Gatestone Institute.
© 2017 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No
part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied
or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.
What's next in Afghanistan?
John R. Bolton/Gatestone Institute/August 16/17
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/?p=57998
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/10839/next-in-afghanistan
As President Trump wrestles with America's role in Afghanistan, he should first
decide what our objectives are today compared to what we wanted immediately
after Sept. 11, 2001.
Initially, the United States overthrew the Taliban regime but failed to destroy
it completely. Regime supporters, allied tribal forces and opportunistic
warlords escaped (or returned) to Pakistan's frontier regions to establish
sanctuaries.
Similarly, while the Taliban's ouster also forced al-Qaida into exile in
Pakistan and elsewhere, al-Qaida nonetheless continued and expanded its
terrorist activities. In Iraq and Syria, al-Qaida morphed into the even more
virulent ISIS, which is now gaining strength in Afghanistan.
In short, America's Afghan victories were significant but incomplete.
Subsequently, we failed to revise and update our Afghan strategic objectives,
leading many to argue the war had gone on too long and we should withdraw. This
criticism is superficially appealing, recalling anti-Vietnam War activist Allard
Lowenstein's cutting remarks about Richard Nixon's policies. While Lowenstein
acknowledged that he understood those, like Sen. George Aiken, who said we
should "win and get out," he said he couldn't understand Nixon's strategy of
"lose and stay in."
Today in Afghanistan, the pertinent question is what we seek to prevent, not
what we seek to achieve. Making Afghanistan serene and peaceful does not
constitute a legitimate American geopolitical interest. Instead, we face two
principal threats.
Taliban's Return To Power
First, the Taliban's return to power throughout Afghanistan would re-create the
prospect of the country being used as a base of operations for international
terrorism. It is simply unacceptable to allow the pre-2001 status quo to
re-emerge.
Second, a post-9/11 goal (at least one better understood today) is the
imperative of preventing a Taliban victory in Afghanistan that would enable
Pakistani Taliban or other terrorist groups to seize control in Islamabad. Not
only would such a takeover make all Pakistan yet another terrorist sanctuary,
but if its large nuclear arsenal fell to terrorists, we would immediately face
the equivalent of Iran and North Korea on nuclear steroids. Worryingly,
Pakistan's military, especially its intelligence arm, is already thought to be
controlled by radical Islamists.
Given terrorism's global spread since 9/11 and the risk of a perfect storm — the
confluence of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction —
the continuing threats we face in the Afghan arena are even graver than those
posed pre-9/11. Accordingly, abandoning the field in Afghanistan is simply not a
tenable strategy.
However, accomplishing America's goals does not require remaking Afghanistan's
government, economy or military in our image. Believing that only "nation
building" in Afghanistan could ultimately guard against the terrorist threat was
mistaken. For too long, it distracted Washington and materially contributed to
the decline in American public support for a continuing military presence there,
despite the manifest need for it.
There is no chance that the Trump administration will pursue "nation building"
in Afghanistan, as the president has repeatedly made clear. Speaking as a Reagan
administration alumnus of USAID, I concur. We should certainly continue
bilateral economic assistance to Afghanistan, which, strategically applied, has
served America well in countless circumstances during the Cold War and
thereafter. But we should not conflate it with the diaphanous prospect of nation
building.
Nor should we assume that the military component in Afghanistan must be a
repetition or expansion of the boots-on-the-ground approach we have followed
since the initial assault on the Taliban. Other alternatives appear available
and should be seriously considered, including possibly larger U.S. military
commitments of the right sort.
U.S. Army soldiers fire mortars at a Taliban position in northeastern
Afghanistan, September 2, 2011. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
Even more important, there must be far greater focus on Pakistan.
A Volatile and Lethal Mix
Politically unstable since British India's 1947 partition, increasingly under
Chinese influence because of the hostility with India, and a nuclear-weapons
state, Pakistan is a volatile and lethal mix ultimately more important than
Afghanistan itself. Until and unless Pakistan becomes convinced that interfering
in Afghanistan is too dangerous and too costly, no realistic U.S. military
scenario in Afghanistan can succeed.
The stakes are high on the subcontinent, not just because of the "Af-Pak"
problems but because Pakistan, India and China are all nuclear powers. The Trump
administration should not be mesmerized only by U.S. troop levels. It must
concentrate urgently on the bigger strategic picture. The size and nature of
America's military commitment in Afghanistan will more likely emerge from that
analysis rather than the other way around. And time is growing short.
*John R. Bolton, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, is Chairman of
Gatestone Institute, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and
author of "Surrender Is Not an Option: Defending America at the United Nations
and Abroad".
*This article first appeared in The Pittsburgh Tribune Review and is reprinted
here with the kind permission of the author.
© 2017 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No
part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied
or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.
The Anti-Semitic Jewish Media
Bruce Bawer/Gatestone Institute/August 16/17
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/10810/antisemitic-jewish-media
Almost everyone in a position to do something is a coward. Politicians continue
to recite the mantra that "Muslims are today's Jews," even though in Europe
today Muslims are far more often the tormentors than the tormented, and Jews
lead the list of victims of public abuse.
Needless to say, the immigrants Trump wants to keep out of the U.S. are
precisely the type who, in Europe, are currently Jew-bashing people like Stephen
Miller -- and Rob Eshman. But Eshman doesn't want to think about this ticklish
fact, which challenges his own simplistic, self-righteous pontifications.
Linda Sarsour is the very personification of stealth Islamization and an obvious
anti-Semite. But as Davidson himself noted, she's acquired plenty of Jewish
allies and defenders, "including Jeremy Ben-Ami, Mark Hetfield, Rabbi Jill
Jacobs and Brad Lander."
For years now, Jews across western Europe have been the targets of harassment by
Muslims. Police officers stand guard outside of synagogues. Recently, when I
stayed in the Jewish Quarter in Rome, I couldn't help notice the presence of
multiple police kiosks, each manned by an armed cop. Many Jews in European
cities have long since ceased wearing yarmulkes or Stars of David. Jewish kids
are instructed by their parents to avoid identifying themselves as Jews at
school lest they be beaten up by their little Muslim friends.
Meanwhile, almost everyone in a position to do something is a coward.
Politicians continue to recite the mantra that "Muslims are today's Jews," even
though in Europe today Muslims are far more often the tormentors than the
tormented, and Jews lead the list of victims of public abuse. Police prefer not
to prosecute Muslim perpetrators for fear of being called "Islamophobes."
Teachers don't want to deal with Muslim bullies in their classes for the same
reason.
Yet you would hardly know this to read much of America's Jewish media. On August
2, the Jewish Journal ran a piece slamming Trump adviser Stephen Miller for
dismissing (quite properly) the suggestion by CNN's Jim Acosta that the new
immigration bill favoring English-speakers violated the "spirit" of Emma
Lazarus's Statue of Liberty poem, "The New Colossus," and emphasizing, as if it
had anything to do with the issue, that Miller himself is the great-grandson of
Jewish immigrants. This was not the first time the Jewish Journal had gone after
Miller for being a Jew who supports immigration reform. In March, another piece
in that publication, headlined (I kid you not) "From Hebrew School to Halls of
Power," noted that Miller was "a principal author of Trump's draconian
immigration measures, including the executive order the president signed in late
January targeting immigrants from Muslim-majority countries," even though "[t]hese
politics are generally reviled in the liberal circles of his Jewish upbringing."
The big hit-job, however, came a year ago, when the editor-in-chief of the
Jewish Journal, Rob Eshman, sneered at Miller for the way in which he "froth[ed]
the mob" at Trump rallies over immigration. Eshman professed shock at the news
that Miller is Jewish. How, he asked, could "this young anti-immigrant leader"
be "the descendent of immigrants"? Eshman looked into Miller's family tree, and
discovered that his maternal great-grandfather, seeking to escape persecution by
Cossacks, fled Antopol (in present-day Belarus) and settled in Pennsylvania,
where he founded a thriving business. And yet, thundered Eshman, Miller dares to
serve as "Trump's anti-immigrant avatar." Imagine: "The great-grandson of a
desperate refugee can grow up to shill for the demagogue bent on keeping
desperate refugees like his great-grandfather out."
Stephen Miller, Senior Advisor to the President for Policy, talks to reporters
about President Donald Trump's support for creating a "merit-based immigration
system", August 2, 2017. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Needless to say, the immigrants Trump wants to keep out of the U.S. are
precisely the type who, in Europe, are currently Jew-bashing people like Stephen
Miller -- and Rob Eshman. But Eshman doesn't want to think about this ticklish
fact, which challenges his own simplistic, self-righteous pontifications. No,
better to demonize Miller as "an American Jew [who has] turn[ed] on immigrants,"
who has "tak[en] the side of people who... would have met your own
great-grandparents at the docks with stones and spitballs," and who is "stoking
anti-immigrant fear and hate, by calling for a ban on an entire religion."
As it happens, Trump has never sought to enact a ban on an entire religion,
although the present situation in Europe certainly makes a good argument for
such a ban (with ample room for sensible exceptions, of course).
On August 3, over at the Forward, formerly the Jewish Daily Forward, one Steven
Davidson actually served up one of the most idiotic articles of the year,
entitled "19 People Jews Should Worry About More Than Linda Sarsour." Sarsour,
of course, is the devout, hijab-wearing, sharia-loving, Israel-boycotting Muslim
who, since her high-profile appearance at the Women's March on the day after
Trump's inauguration, has become a hero of feminism and of the left generally.
Linda Sarsour is the very personification of stealth Islamization and an obvious
anti-Semite. But as Davidson himself noted, she's acquired plenty of Jewish
allies and defenders, "including Jeremy Ben-Ami, Mark Hetfield, Rabbi Jill
Jacobs and Brad Lander."
As for Davidson, while finding some of her language "coarse and insensitive," he
insists that criticism of her has "no basis in reality." In his piece, he
encouraged readers to move from Sarsour and focus their concerns instead on 19
other people, including Louis Farrakhan, David Duke, the Ayatollah Khamenei, and
the leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah. Well, I don't know about you, but I'm
capable of hating all these other people while still having enough hate left for
Linda Sarsour. (I'm also capable of noticing that nobody in the American
mainstream is celebrating most of these other creeps, while Sarsour, under a
Hillary Clinton administration, would probably have been in line for a
Presidential Medal of Freedom.)
Also on the list, however, are White House counter-terrorism adviser Sebastian
Gorka, whom Davidson smears as "a member of a far-right group founded by Nazis";
Trump strategist Steve Bannon, formerly of Breitbart, which "spew[s] xenophobic
hate"; Milo Yiannopoulos, who although half-Jewish "disseminat[es] Jewish
conspiratorial tropes"; and President Trump himself, whose crimes against the
Jewish people, according to Davidson, include "[r]efus[al] to mention Jews on
Holocaust Remembrance Day." Never mind that he has a Jewish daughter and
grandchildren; we are supposed to believe that it is Trump, not Sarsour, who
threatens Jews. Perhaps Davidson should have a little chat with some of the
growing number of European Jews who are heading straight to Trump's America to
escape Sarsour's coreligionists who, in countries run by politicians of whom
Davidson doubtless approves, are being allowed to turn Europe once again into a
place from which Jews feel compelled to flee.
**Bruce Bawer is the author of the new novel The Alhambra (Swamp Fox Editions).
His book While Europe Slept (2006) was a New York Times bestseller and National
Book Critics Circle Award finalist.
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Muqtada Sadr and the great sectarian tussle
Mashari Althaydi/Asharq Al Awsat/August 16/17
Iraq’s Shiite cleric and political leader Muqtada al-Sadr’s visits to Saudi
Arabia and the UAE have changed a few hearts and opened outlets. Two weeks after
visiting Jeddah, and his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,
Muqtada al-Sadr visited the UAE and the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohammed
bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Both meetings proved fruitful and timely. In Abu Dhabi, the
popular Shiite leader with his black turban met with the Sunni Sheikh of Iraq,
Sheikh Ahmed al-Qubaisi who was wearing his red Kufiyah. Both leaders said that
they were seeking the common good of Iraq, the Shiites and Sunnis alike.
According to the UAE news agency, the focus was on the words of Sheikh Mohammed
bin Zayed, to Muqtada al-Sadr, who said: “Past experiences taught us to always
call for what brings Arabs and Muslims together, and to reject the advocates of
division and rift.”This noble endeavor, which affects a large number of Iraqi
Shiites, is admirable, not because he is trying to get close to Saudi Arabia or
the UAE, as some may imagine, but because he wants his country Iraq to have a
safe and prosperous future. This is a significant step, which seeks to
obliterate the ongoing tussle between Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq.
The well-being of Iraq reflects on all Arabs and Muslims in general as Iraq is
the place where all sects were born
Process of conciliation
This Iraq-Gulf rapprochement is vital even though it has come a tad too late.
Saudi Arabia started this process of conciliation after Riyadh and Baghdad
announced in June that they would form a coordination council in an effort to
improve relations. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubair’s visit to Baghdad in
February furthered this process. The well-being of Iraq reflects on all Arabs
and Muslims in general as Iraq is the place where all sects were born. The first
Khawarej battle, the Battle of Nahrawan, the clash between Umiyah and Hashem,
the Battle of Saffeen, and the tragedy of Karbala, all took place on the
battlefield of Iraq. The symbol of the first Muʿtazila, Wasel bin Atta, the
founder Salafist, Ahmed bin Hanbal, and the prominent Shiite Sheikh Shaykh Tusi,
are all men of Iraq. Therefore, Iraq and its people find an important place in
the Muslim mind.
Muqtada al-Sadr’s steps may seem small to some but they resemble the steps of
American astronaut Neil Armstrong in the sense that they are huge for Arabs and
Muslims at this difficult time. In April, he became the first Iraqi Shiite
leader to urge Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to leave power, showing his
disagreement with Iran and the fighters supporting the Syrian government. Sadr’s
office said the meeting with Prince Mohammed at the end of July resulted in an
agreement to study possible investments in Shi’ite areas in southern Iraq.