Detailed Lebanese & Lebanese Related LCCC English New Bulletin For August 30/2018
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani

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Ahmadinejad’s preoccupation with Serena Williams outfit
Mashari Althaydi/Al Arabiya/August 29/18
The histrionics of former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad never end with the most recent one being his glorious defense of tennis player Serena Williams’ right to wear the full-length skin-tight black cat-suit.
The French Tennis Federation deemed it as dress code violation and said it would no longer be allowed at the next French Open tennis tournament.
Ahmadinejad, who while delivering an address at the UN, famously said that Imam Mahdi appeared to him and he was surrounded by a halo of light, wrote on Twitter: “Why is the French Open disrespecting Serena Williams?”
He then added the more important message: “Unfortunately some people in all countries including my country haven’t realized the true meaning of freedom.”
One of the last things one can believe is that a Khomeini project, that has been so deeply immersed in his ideology, since early days, cares about the freedom of women in France or America. This is a joke that cannot be taken seriously. It is as if you believe that ISIS’s Baghdadi cares about protecting white dolphins or black seals in the North Pole from being hunted.
The truth remains that the former Iranian president is not preoccupied with the design and color of Serena’s outfit, the African-American tennis player, but with arguing with the authorities. He has decided to shift to the role of the opposition figure and the people’s hero and ride the wave of popular anger against corruption and decline of the Iranian authority, beginning with the Supreme Leader Khamenei himself.
Prior to that, Ahmadinejad posted a video calling on Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to resign. “Mr. Rouhani, the people do not accept you. You, the fundamentalists and the reformists are all accomplices in what’s happening.”The truth remains that former Iranian president is not preoccupied with design and color of Serena’s outfit but with arguing with the authorities
Popular anger
Ahmadinejad is trying to draw a new image of himself and is flirting with popular anger in Iran. He is aligning himself with the youth, who reject the rigidity of authorities.
Preventing women from attending football matches and sports events and oppressing is a behavior that’s familiar to Tehran’s rulers, and this includes the phase when Ahmadinejad himself was president.
Therefore, he does not have any moral legitimacy today to lead this speech of individual rights, including lifting chains off women. In 2015, the Iranian authorities detained Iranian-British woman Ghoncheh Ghavami after she tried to watch a men-only volleyball match. She was sentenced to one year in prison. Ahmadinejad is chattering about these things to spite today’s rulers. His approach has upset the head of the Khomeini regime as, in December 2017, Khamenei harshly criticized Ahmadinejad’s stances and accused him of spreading “absurdities” against state institutions. The tales and falsehoods of Khomeinist and populist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are endless, and Khamenei’s cry today is: “Even you Nejad”.

McCain’s glory and his fatal mistake
Mamdouh AlMuhaini/Al Arabiya/August 29/18
Late Senator John McCain talked much about patriotism and values of self-sacrifice for the sake of the nation but he, like most, did not care much about these things if they contradicted his own interests, especially if it meant him becoming America’s next president.
This is what happened after he nominated Sarah Palin, then-Alaska’s governor, to be his vice presidential nominee during his presidential campaign. He chose her for one reason, to fight the glamor surrounding media fame of his charismatic rival Barack Obama.
The old McCain had history by his side but did not own the present and modern media outlets that seek today’s celebrities and not heroes of the past.
To fill this vacuum, he chose a beautiful woman that wears glamorous clothes to attract attention to his campaign and to decrease attention in his rival’s campaign. However, this proved to be a fatal mistake. “How can he trust someone like this naïve woman with America if something happens to him or he dies, and this is probable considering his age.” This is what McCain’s critics, including respected Republican figures like Dick Cheney, said. Cheney said that McCain’s decision to select Palin as his VP indicates he lacks prudence and shows he is not fit to be president.
It turned out that Palin harmed him a lot instead of benefiting him. She was an easy target for the liberal media, which repeatedly made her fall into traps.
For example, journalist Katie Couric asked her a simple question about the magazines she reads but Palin stuttered and didn’t answer. This showed Palin in poor light, as an ignorant woman. McCain tried to confront these attempts to entrap her and utilized his experience in fighting with politicians and journalists but he could not get her on her feet.
Palin was a smart and opportunistic woman as she benefitted from McCain while his dream collapsed before his eyes for the second time. She used the entire opportunity to receive cheques and for magazine covers, books, programs, interviews and reality shows about hunting that brought her millions.
It is said that McCain strongly regretted his decision, which is considered the saddest stage of his life, a black mark that stained his image as a noble man who put his country before himself. John McCain was the man of the world order. He was aware of the importance of America’s allies who contributed toward solidifying this order and brought stability and peace
Glorious phases
However, there are other glorious and happy phases which eventually shaped his legacy and made the news of his departure a world event.
In his early days, McCain, who was a pilot, was taken hostage in northern Vietnam, for five years. He was tortured, starved, humiliated and his hand and ribs were repeatedly broken. After being released from captivity, he was viewed as a hero in the eyes of the American people as he did not reveal any secrets and did not betray the army’s brotherhood.
He wrote about the torture methods in the Vietnamese prison and which borrowed the methods of the Middle Ages’ prisons, such as heavy chains which the prisoner drags with his feet. His stance on the Syrian revolution is considered one of the noblest. If McCain had been president, it is almost certain that Syria would have been different from what it currently is. He was the voice of conscience, which never kept silent over the horrific massacres committed by the Assad regime and the Iranian militias.
McCain morally tormented his president Obama and reminded him of the horrific photos of dead infants wrapped in shrouds but all his attempts failed.
McCain was the man of the world order and he was aware of the importance of America’s allies who contributed toward solidifying this order and brought stability and peace and fought rogue regimes like Tehran and terror groups like al-Qaeda. Hence, we can understand his strong relationship with Saudi Arabia.
His relationship with Trump deteriorated before it even began although Trump has done almost everything he called for. He punished Assad, besieged Iran, resumed the war on terrorism and restored warmth to cold ties with friends.
On the domestic level, he decreased taxes and revived the economy. Despite that, he did not gain his respect and affection and dealt a treacherous stab to Trump when he voted against repealing Obamacare.
The Republicans
There are three explanations of this position. The first one is that McCain joined the group of Republicans who believe that Trump hijacked the Republican Party and tore it apart. This stance aims to maintain traditions and stop the iron-clad Trump from running over all what’s left of conservative values.
The second one is based on personal dislike between the two men. Following McCain’s sharp criticism, Trump launched a scathing attack on him and doubted his glory at the Vietnam War by saying that heroes do not get captured.
Ever since, McCain held a grudge against him and wrote in his will that he did not want Trump to attend his funeral. Let us not forget that McCain whose dream was to become president saw Trump achieve this dream.
The third explanation is the difference between the two men. McCain sometimes appeared as a grumpy old man, as an idealistic and preaching man to the extent of intransigence and boredom. Trump, however, is realistic and loud to the extent of being rude and crude.
Due to this mutual dislike, Trump reluctantly ordered lowering the American flag. But media outlets allied to McCain’s position on Trump, focused on the president as a man who is an outcast and hated by respectable Republican figures – and not only by leftists and opposing circles.

China’s geo-economic interests and Middle East energy industry
Sabena Siddiqui/Al Arabiya/August 29/18
Strategically located near most of the major energy consuming countries in Europe and Asia, the Middle East plays an intrinsic geo-economic role. However, since 2014, ups and downs in oil prices have disturbed the dynamics of the Middle Eastern energy industry.
As the political climate changed the regional equation, it evoked concern in countries dependent on the Middle East for their energy supply. Most of all, China’s energy security became prone to risks and this factor raised its stakes in the geopolitics of the Middle East.
Being one of the fastest growing global economies today, China needs dependable energy to keep its 6 percent growth rate sustainable. Consuming nearly one fourth of global energy supplies per annum, China cannot afford to lose its energy supply for any reason.
At home, it has limited domestic energy reserves with oil supplies at just 1.5 percent and gas at only 2.9 percent. Trying out alternative means of energy such as nuclear and renewables while working on energy efficiency, China has tried to reduce its energy security risks since a while. Nevertheless, China is heavily dependent on imported energy supplies and is a major trade partner of most of the oil and gas producing nations in the Middle East. Even as China’s energy imports surge, the domestic demand for energy also grows in Middle Eastern countries. Considering other options, China tried to diversify its sources of oil supply since 2015 but remains one of the top three importers from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran. Thus, helping maintain peace and prosperity in the Middle East is China’s top-most priority.
China is heavily dependent on imported energy supplies and is a major trade partner of most of oil and gas producing nations in the Middle East
Investor in the Arab world
Consequently, China increased its investments in infrastructure and construction projects such as ports, pipelines and roads worth $29.5 billion, becoming the largest investor in the Arab world since 2016.
Creating new industries not only extended China’s economic interests beyond energy trade in the region, it also helped diversify the economies of the Arab world. During Saudi King Salman’s visit to Beijing in March 2017, commercial agreements totaling $65 billion were inked in renewable energy, oil and space sectors.
Planning a new Suez Canal, Egypt-China cooperation is also underway while a Sino-Oman Industrial City worth $10.7 billion has been built in Duqm, Oman, with Chinese investment.
Planning development in line with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), both Jordan and Saudi Arabia are also engaged in consultations with China over various prospects.
Enhancing commercial engagement, an Arab Summit of 21 nations was recently arranged for foreign ministers in Beijing. Launching an “oil and gas plus” model to speed up economic growth in the region, President Xi pledged $20 billion in loans as well as $106 billion in financial aid to nations in the Middle East.
On the occasion, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adil al-Jubeir said: “Beijing is a political, economic and security partner. The crises and challenges that China and the Arab world have experienced are identical, both the Arabs and the Chinese aspire to strengthen and intensify their co-operation in all fields.”
Elevating ties to a “strategic partnership”, Xi has also visited the Arab region recently on his first foreign trip abroad since his re-election this March. Providing strong trade routes according to the vision of BRI, countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) can avail of the BRI as a bridge to market their commodities.
Cooperation forum
Policy coordination mechanisms such as the China-Arab Cooperation Forum and the Strategic Dialogue between China and the GCC states have been formulated to speed up the engagement.
According to Beijing, “any type of bilateral cooperation (with China) can be considered part of the Belt and Road”, a “1+2+3’ cooperation pattern was adopted under the Arab Policy Paper published in 2016 which specified collaborations in energy, construction, industry, renewable energy and trade as well as innovative fields of space and nuclear energy.
Presenting a slew of possibilities for the entire region, an international financial exchange would cater to BRI trade. A pioneer in “green development”, China plans green pilot zones along the BRI with the requirement that all participants comply with Chinese standards.
Negotiating for a “free trade” agreement between China and the Arab nations, Beijing also plans to grant special trading privileges along with financing facilities. Thus, the economic relationship between China and the Middle East is on an upward trajectory as it expands beyond oil. Finally, the demand for artificial intelligence, fintech, automated cars and renewable energy is growing in the Middle East. Leading in all these fields, China is the best option in all these sectors of development while it also provides financing.
In fact, a new financial consortium would be created with a $3 billion fund for an “industrial revival”. In the long run, trade expansion would strengthen relations between Arab countries and the rest of the world.

When the Brotherhood’s ‘bankrupt’ speaks!
Jameel al-Thiyabi/Al Arabiya/August 29/18
Yusuf al-Qaradawi has no achievement of note to brag about despite his old age. His career in politicizing religion is filled with what’s shameful and with atrocities as well as with creating crises and deceiving the credulous with his fatwas (religious edicts).
This year’s Hajj (1439H) provided an opportunity for exposing more of the contradictions of Qaradawi, who considers himself the godfather of the Muslim Brotherhood whose schemes, proposals, lies and truth as a terror group has been exposed.
The ‘mufti of terror’
The mufti and preacher of terrorism “offensively” tweeted against Qatar’s pilgrims, claiming that God does not want their Hajj! Is he being rude to God, or did he make this statement because he is an agent and follower of the two-Hamad regime? Or is this a result of decrepitude which he, Qatar and the Brotherhood suffer from? Qaradawi’s tweet is a clear example that this destructive organization is bankrupt. Qaradawi has exposed himself and the Muslim Brotherhood and revealed the extent of his ignorance and fake ideas.
When it comes to Qaradawi, this is not surprising. He has satiated the world with his shameful fatwas that have claimed that “jihad” is necessary against all Arab and Islamic regimes and that permitted suicide bombings. This is in addition to his stances in support of the terrorist Lebanese Hezbollah which has been established, funded and armed by Iran which the two-Hamad regime describes as “honorable”.
It has been proven by facts, figures, records and photos that Qatari pilgrims were well received and welcomed. It’s clear that Qaradawi said what he said because he lives in Doha at the expense of the regime and because he wants to satisfy the latter via his heresies which no longer have any effect now that his ill intentions and conspiracies have been exposed.
If only he were consistent and a man of principle. He seems to make a contradictory statement on an almost daily basis. He praises Gaddafi and then calls for killing him off. He praises the slaughterer Bashar al-Assad and then joins the “chorus” of supporting Al-Nusra Front which branched from the Brotherhood to topple Assad’s regime. Instead of being an advisor to his two losing Hamad masters and urging them to stop politicizing Hajj and deal with it like it must be dealt with as the fifth pillar of Islam, he supported their unjustifiable actions in such a despicable manner that does not sit with his claim of heading an organization that falsely states it has a peaceful role.
Stopping Qataris from Hajj
Undoubtedly, Qaradawi is a liar and deceiver. He has, before anyone else, tried with his offensive tweet to give religious justification for the policies of the Doha regime which continued to close the door on its citizens who desire to perform Hajj. It would have been appropriate if he had advised the Qatari regime not to politicize Hajj and to allow the Qataris who wish to perform it to go to Saudi Arabia instead of tracking down Hajj registration websites and shutting them down and intimidating the Qataris from traveling for Hajj.
However, there are people who find foolishness virtuous to achieve the purpose of turning back the clock. When they cannot accomplish this aim – which they know is impossible – they resort to an evil rhetoric and plan campaigns to promote “exposed” lies.
Saudi Arabia facilitated and provided all possible amenities to Qataris in performing their Hajj. However, these efforts were met by stubbornness and lies from the two-Hamad regime. This Qatari approach that has been used to arouse a dislike in a pillar of Islam and to mitigate the popular Qatari discontent because of preventing them from performing Hajj will not prove effective in hiding the seriousness of the crime which the Qatari authorities committed when they prevented people from performing Hajj!
A characteristic of the Muslim Brotherhood’s guides and preachers is allowing themselves what’s prohibited – they prohibit to people what God Almighty has permitted. There is no need to say that Qaradawi’s tweet indicates a deviation from religious thought. He has twisted religious texts to satisfy his Hamad masters. In the end, however, his talk is nothing more than utter nonsense.
It has been proven by facts, figures, records and photos that Qatari pilgrims were well received and welcomed. It’s clear that Qaradawi said what he said because he lives in Doha at the expense of the regime and because he wants to satisfy the latter via his heresies which no longer have any effect now that his ill intentions and conspiracies have been exposed.
It is certain Qaradawi is only the sheikh of terrorists and the Brotherhood’s guide to delusions, destruction, conspiracy and destruction. What he said reveals the grudge he has had towards Saudi Arabia and towards the annual pilgrimage during which Muslim hearts reconcile and Muslims stand reassured in the worship of God ignoring people like him who lead to destruction.