LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
March 06/2018
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias
Bejjani
The Bulletin's Link on the
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http://data.eliasbejjaninews.com/newselias18/english.march06.18.htm
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Bible
Quotations
You are
the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be
made salty again?
Matthew 05/01-16: "Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a
mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach
them. The Beatitudes He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be
comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed
are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure
in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will
be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when
people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against
you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in
heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before
you. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness,
how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to
be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A
town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and
put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to
everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Titles
For Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources
published on March 05-06/18
The case of Lebanon’s Ziad Itani/Mashari Althaydi/Al Arabiya/March
05/2018
Curbing and Containing Hezbollah Is a Key Focus/The National/ Monday 05th
March 2018
Netanyahu Meets Trump at the White House/Noa Landau/Jerusalem Post/March
05/18/Do Western "Goodists" Really Care about Helping Syrians, Palestinians/Giulio
Meotti/Gatestone Institute/March 05/18
Economics Needs a Few More Theories/Karl W. Smith/Bloomberg/March 05/18
Oil, a Curse or a Blessing/Abdulrahman Al-Rashed/Asharq Al Awsat//March
05/18
The Hour of the Strong Man/Ghassan Charbel/Asharq Al Awsat//March 05/18
Iran on fast forward thanks to nuclear deal/Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab
News/March 05/18
Titles For Latest LCCC Lebanese Related News published on
March 05-06/18
Hizbullah-FPM Electoral Negotiations Reportedly Collapse
Saniora Says Won't Run in Parliamentary Elections
Khalil, FPM Ministers in New War of Words over Electricity
MTV Presenter Jessica Azar to Run in Elections on LF List
Reports: Suzanne al-Hajj Involved in Hacking of Govt. Websites
Saudi Envoy to Return to Beirut for More Talks
Hariri meets Jumblatt at Center House
Jumblatt, French envoy tackle latest developments
Shorter after meeting Geagea: Elections represent important opportunity to
boost inclusion and representation of women
Duquesne visits Hariri: Elaborate at the CEDRE Conference the new social
contract between international community and Lebanon
U.S. delivers batch of M16A4 rifles to Lebanese army
Bassil meets Brazilian counterpart, says solution to refugee crisis lies in
their return
The case of Lebanon’s Ziad Itani
Housing loan funds depleted by demand: BDL head
MP Siniora rules himself out of upcoming elections
Doueihy: Clear Vision to Be Articulated Once Electoral Alliances Are Sealed
Salameh: Keserwan Became a Deprived Area Due to Unkept Promises
Minister Takes Pride in Obstruction of Bassil's Power Plant Project
Curbing and Containing Hezbollah Is a Key Focus
Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And
News published on March 05-06/18
Netanyahu Meets Trump at the White House
Saudi Crown Prince, Egyptian President Inspect Projects in Ismailiya
Assad Advances Russian-Approved Military Reshuffle
Egyptian Army Announces Death of 10 ‘Takfiris’, Four Soldiers in Sinai
Egypt to Participate in Global Coalition Against ISIS in London
Saudi Arabia, Egypt Sign $10 Billion Deal on Mega-City
Rouhani Describes Critics as 'Naive'
Fresh Air Raids on Syria's Ghouta Kill 14
Aid Convoy Enters Syria Enclave as Regime Presses Offensive
French Foreign Minister in Tehran for Tense Talks
New Setback for Netanyahu as ex-Aide Signs State Witness Deal
Saudi Crown Prince visits Egypt’s Coptic Cathedral in Cairo
Saudi Crown Prince Discusses Economy on Egypt Trip
South Korean Envoys in Historic Trip to Meet North's Kim
Egypt State TV Presenter Held for 'Defaming Police' Released
Russia suggests Tillerson-Lavrov meeting in Ethiopia this week: RIA
Macron presses Putin to ensure Syria respects ceasefire: Elysee
Latest Lebanese Related News published
on March 05-06/18
Hizbullah-FPM
Electoral Negotiations Reportedly Collapse
Naharnet/March 05/18/Hizbullah
and the Free Patriotic Movement may not be on the same electoral lists in
the upcoming parliamentary elections, a media report said. “Negotiations
over several districts have collapsed,” al-Liwaa newspaper reported on
Monday. It said the dispute had started in the Keserwan-Jbeil district,
“after Hizbullah nominated Sheikh Hussein Zoaiter, its top official in the
Mount Lebanon and the North regions.”“The FPM, especially its leader Jebran
Bassil and incumbent MP Simon Abi Ramia, were dismayed by the move,” the
newspaper added. “When we are strong, no one can impose a candidate on us,”
Bassil has said from the Jbeil district town of Lassa. Al-Liwaa said the
“electoral divorce” between the two political allies is likely to affect
most districts in Mount Lebanon, Baalbek-Hermel, Zahle and Western Bekaa.
“The first indication of the electoral clash or competition was represented
by a Hizbullah official's remarks that the party is inclined to hit back at
Bassil by forming an independent list in Keserwan-Jbeil and nominating ex-MP
Tarek Habshi in Baalbek-Hermel,” al-Liwaa added, quoting an unnamed
Hizbullah official.
Saniora Says Won't Run in Parliamentary Elections
Naharnet/March 05/18/Ex-PM and Sidon MP Fouad Saniora on Monday announced
that he will not run in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Saniora's
announcement comes after an overnight meeting with Prime Minister Saad
Hariri. Speaking at a press conference, Saniora said his decision does not
mean that he is quitting al-Mustaqbal Movement. He revealed that Hariri had
urged him in their meeting overnight to re-nominate himself for one of
Sidon's two Sunni seats. Stressing that he belongs to “the heritage of late
PM Rafik Hariri” and that he has faith in al-Mustaqbal Movement's “national
and reformist vision,” Saniora underline that he will “continue on the same
path.” The ex-PM also voiced pride that he had contributed to the decision
that led to the establishment of the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for
Lebanon in order to “protect Lebanon's political future.”
Khalil, FPM Ministers in New War of Words over Electricity
Naharnet/March 05/18/A new war of words has erupted between the ministers of
the AMAL Movement and the Free Patriotic Movement. The trading of barbs
started overnight, when FPM chief and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil accused
Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil of blocking the construction of the Deir
Amar power plant. “We did everything needed to provide 24/24 power supply by
2015, but a political group obstructed the project, especially Finance
Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, who blocked funds needed to construct the Deir
Amar plant,” Bassil said in a TV program aired by MTV. Khalil hit back on
Monday, saying: “I'm proud of blocking this project, because it contains an
attempt at theft, public funds waste and corruption.”Energy Minister Cesar
Abi Khalil of the FPM snapped back in a tweet, accusing Khalil of
“falsifying the facts.”
MTV Presenter Jessica Azar to Run in Elections on LF
List
MTV news presenter Jessica Azar on Monday announced that she will be running
in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Azar said she will contest the
Greek Orthodox seat in Northern Metn as part of the list that will be backed
by the Lebanese Forces. “I submitted my nomination papers today for the
parliamentary elections,” Azar tweeted. “The responsibility on my shoulders
is huge but I trust the will of the Lebanese who want real change and who
will give the opportunity to a generation that carries a lot of dreams and
aspirations,” the young and telegenic presenter added. “My nomination by LF
leader Samir Geagea proves that the LF's decision to support youths and
women is not an electoral slogan but rather a challenge, and the LF is the
party of challenges,” Azar went on to say. Azar is currently facing a
lawsuit filed by ex-General Security chief Maj. Gen. Jamil al-Sayyed, who
has accused her of defamation over Twitter remarks criticizing his
parliamentary nomination.
Reports: Suzanne al-Hajj Involved in Hacking of Govt. Websites
Naharnet/March 05/18/Detained Lt. Col. Suzanne al-Hajj was involved in
successful and unsuccessful attempts to hack websites belonging to several
ministries and state institutions, media reports said. Al-Hajj and a hacker
identified as E.Gh. are being interrogated by the Intelligence Branch of the
Internal Security Forces on charges of “fabricating” a spying for Israel
case for detained comedian Ziad Itani. “The initial interrogation period has
been extended for another 48 hours,” al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Monday.
Al-Hajj and the hacker “are also being interrogated on suspicion of
fabricating cases for other innocent individuals some of whom were
prosecuted by the judiciary,” the daily said. Quoting ministerial sources,
al-Akhbar said the investigation also involves successful and botched
hacking operations against websites belonging to the ministries of foreign
affairs, culture and energy and accounts belonging to the interior minister
and the OGERO authority. “The hacker claimed that al-Hajj had asked him to
carry out the operations after she was sacked from her post in the bureau
for combating cyber crime,” the sources said. “She wanted to give the
impression that 'the country was in ruins' (on the cyber crime front) after
she was fired,” the sources quoted the hacker as saying. Interior Minister
Nouhad al-Mashnouq has announced that Itani, who has been in detention since
November 2017, is innocent. According to media reports, al-Hajj hired the
hacker E.Gh., a State Security informant, to create fake social media
accounts with the aim of framing Itani. The hacker used Israeli IPs to carry
out the plot. The reports said al-Hajj sought “revenge” against Itani after
he posted a screenshot of a Twitter 'like' placed by her on a post for
controversial director Charbel Khalil. Al-Hajj was sacked by the ISF command
over the 'like'. Khalil's tweet contained insults against Saudi Arabia and
Saudi women.
Saudi Envoy to Return to Beirut for More Talks
Naharnet/March 05/18/Saudi royal envoy Nizar al-Aloula will
return to Beirut on Monday to resume his meetings with Lebanese officials, a
media report said. An Nahar newspaper said al-Aloula would hold talks with
political figures he did not manage to meet on his first visit last week.
The Saudi official was obliged to cut short his visit and return to the
kingdom to be part of Prime Minister Saad Hariri's meetings there. Hariri
returned overnight to Lebanon after talks in Riyadh with Saudi King Salman
bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Hariri meets Jumblatt
at Center House
Mon 05 Mar 2018/NNA -
Prime Minister Saad Hariri is currently meeting with MP Walid Jumblatt at
the Center House.
Jumblatt, French envoy tackle latest developments
Mon 05 Mar 2018/NNA - "Democratic Gathering" head MP Walid Jumblatt on
Monday evening welcomed at his Clemenceau residence the French
inter-ministerial delegate to the Mediterranean, Pierre Duquesne,
accompanied by the French ambassador to Lebanon, Bruno Foucher. Talks
reportedly touched on most recent developments in Lebanon and the broad
region. The meeting was attended by National Education and Higher Education
Marwan Hamadeh and State Minister for Human Rights Affairs Ayman Choucair.
Shorter after meeting Geagea: Elections represent
important opportunity to boost inclusion and representation of women
Mon 05 Mar 2018/NNA - British Ambassador to Lebanon, Hugo Shorter, on Monday
met with the leader of the Lebanese Forces Party Dr Samir Geagea. In a press
release by the British Embassy in Beirut, Ambassador Shorter said on
emerging: "I had a good meeting with the head of the Lebanese Forces Party,
Dr Samir Geagea. Our discussions covered a range of issues including the
upcoming parliamentary elections in May. I am hopeful that the Lebanese
Forces are considering positively the inclusion of more female candidates on
electoral lists." Ambassador Shorter added: "It is a symbolic year for women
in the UK with the celebration of 100 years of women suffrage. I hope it
will be a symbolic year for women in Lebanon, with the elections
representing an important opportunity to boost inclusion and representation
of women."
Duquesne visits Hariri: Elaborate at the CEDRE
Conference the new social contract between international community and
Lebanon
Mon 05 Mar 2018/NNA - The President of the Council of Ministers Saad Hariri
received this afternoon at the "Center House" the French interministerial
delegate to the Mediterranean, Ambassador Pierre Duquesne, in charge of the
preparations of the CEDRE conference, accompanied by the French ambassador
to Beirut, Bruno Foucher.
At the end of the meeting, Duquesne said: "We are pursuing the preparation
of the CEDRE conference with a first step tomorrow March 6 which is the
meeting of the enterprises. I remind you that theCEDRE conference means
Economic Conference for Development through Reforms and with Enterprises, so
the second E refers to the private sector since in the investment plan
proposed by the Lebanese government there are many investments that are
profitable and need to be conducted with the companies.
At the same time, these companies need to be reassured about the regulation
of the sectors in which they operate, the modernization of texts that are
sometimes very old, etc. So there is a lot of work besides investments, that
is to ensure that these investments are put in place in the best possible
regulatory environment. We talked about that, and we
talked in general about the preparation of the April 6 conference, in one
month and one day, on which the government is working to present two sets of
documents: the investment plan itself and I now believe that there is an
agreement between the political forces but it must be concretized, and
secondly its economic vision and the sectoral reforms that I talked about,
in a broader macroeconomic way, which should be implemented since there is a
time when this government has started to do things and must continue to do
so.
The central idea is that at the Paris conference we can elaborate what I
want to call the new social contract between the international community and
Lebanon because we all want to help this country, that deserves it on one
hand, and that plays a role of stability in the region on the other. And aat
the same time for this aid to be effective and well used, it must come in an
environment of reforms, not necessarily painful, but a modernization of the
economic life of the country.
So that's it mostly, but when you say in any country the word reforms,
people sometimes understand sacrifices, but they are not necessarily
sacrifices, they are changes and updates that are necessary and from time to
time you have to do this work and there is a moment in Lebanon to do them."
In response to a question, he said that tomorrow's meeting will be held at
the Four Seasons Hotel in the presence of the prime minister, the governor
of the Central Bank, more than 500 people and himself.
U.S. delivers batch of M16A4 rifles to Lebanese army
Mon 05 Mar 2018/NNA - The Lebanese army on Sunday received from the United
States a batch of M16-A4 rifles, as part of the US aid program for the
Lebanese military.
The delivery took place at the Rafic Hariri International Airport, in the
presence of a number of army officers and US Embassy staff.
Bassil meets Brazilian counterpart, says solution to
refugee crisis lies in their return
Mon 05 Mar 2018/NNA - Lebanon has suffered due to the Syrian displacement
crisis, and the solution lies in the refugees' return to their country and
the complete eradication of terrorism in Syria, Lebanon, and the entire
region, Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil maintained during a news conference
he jointly held with his Brazilian counterpart Aloysio Nunes Ferreira on
Monday.Bassil said talks with Ferreira featured high on the bilateral
relations, especially on the economic level. "I explained to Minister
Ferreira the dangerous reverberations of the Syrian displacement not just on
Lebanon, but also on near countries, like Europe," he indicated. "We
discussed the means to bolster mutual investments, considering the massive
Lebanese Diaspora in Brazil that encourages the Brazilians to come invest in
Lebanon, and to go from Lebanon to Syria to partake in the reconstruction
process," he added. "I also explained the Israeli practices that are based
on force and that flout the international legitimacy; these practices only
lead to further tensions and to undermine the idea of establishing the
Palestinian state and international peace," he said. He also thanked his
guest for Brazil's support for Lebanon before the international stances and
contribution to the UNIFIL. For his part, the visiting official described
his meeting with Bassil as "cordial," haling the economic and political ties
between Lebanon and Brazil. On the refugee crisis, he said: "Lebanon is not
responsible for this displacement; it is up to the countries to share this
responsibility."
The case of Lebanon’s
Ziad Itani
Mashari Althaydi/Al Arabiya/March 05/2018
The case of Ziad Itani, a Lebanese theatre playwright who was arrested by
state security in November over accusations of collaborating with Israel, is
the “perfect” case to expose the deficiencies in the core of Lebanon’s
political life. Itani belongs to a renowned family, the largest Sunni family
in Beirut. Interior Minister Nohad al-Machnouk, who is a Sunni figure in the
Future Movement, highlighted the significance of the Itani family after it
was reported that Ziad is innocent and that Suzan al-Hajj, the former head
of cybercrime in the Internal Security Forces, fabricated the case against
Itani. Hajj wanted to take revenge from him after he captured a screenshot
of her liking a tweet that insults Saudi women following a Saudi royal
decree lifting the driving ban on Saudi women. The tweet said that Saudi
women should naturally only drive cars if they are booby-trapped. The
decision to convict or clear Ziad or Susan of all charges is supposed to be
limited to the judiciary. However, what’s supposed to happen is one thing,
and what happens is something else. Hajj is being interrogated now, and
magic has turned on the magician. Itani’s case sparked political and
sectarian debates between Hajj’s and Itani’s supporters, i.e. between the
supporters of Bashar al-Assad and Hassan Nasrallah, and between the allies
of the Syrian people and people who admire Saudi Arabia in a division that
may seem disruptive.
Attempts to exploit the case
President Michel Aoun intervened, stating the importance of not exploiting
the case for any purpose and to leave matters to the judiciary. Aoun’s
remarks make perfect sense. It would be great if everyone used this logic
and did not jump to conclusions when Itani was first arrested!
Lebanese security forces had detained Itani over accusations of spying for
Israel and coordinating with the Mossad “to promote Zionist thought among
intellectuals.” This is the formal accusation. After recent reports on
Itani’s innocence, Machnouk wrote on Twitter: “All the Lebanese people
apologize to Ziad Itani.. the true Arab and true Beiruti.” However, Justice
Minister Salim Jreissati, who is a member of the Free Patriotic Movement,
slammed Machnouk’s Twitter post and wrote: “The Lebanese people do not
apologize to anyone.”
Spying accusations
The decision to convict or clear Ziad or Susan of all charges is supposed to
be limited to the judiciary. However, what’s supposed to happen is one
thing, and what happens is something else. Accusations of collaborating with
Israel are common in Lebanon as the ‘resistance’ parties always make such
accusations against those who oppose them. Therefore, what’s dangerous here
is that if it’s proven that Hajj fabricated this case, there will be plenty
of suspicion regarding the accuracy of previous cases. It will thus be
important to reopen cases of the rivals of Hezbollah and its allies in
Lebanon. Reopening cases like those of al-Hujairi, al-Assir and others does
not aim to clear charges against them - for instance Assir is certainly an
extremist - but to examine whether politics has been kept out of the legal
framework. The case of Ziad Itani and Susan al-Hajj should sound alarm bells
to the entire Lebanese state.
Housing loan funds depleted by demand: BDL head
The Daily Star/March 05, 2018/BEIRUT: Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh
said Monday that BDL's 2018 funds for housing loans had been depleted due to
unprecedented demand. Salameh’s comments came during a meeting with
President Michel Aoun, held at Baabda Palace, in which Aoun requested that
the governor secure the housing loan funds that banks had formerly committed
to disperse to applicants. Salameh said that BDL had provided banks with a
fund worth $500 million in February, allocated for housing loans that would
be used by members of the public to purchase apartments. This fund had been
drained within a month, he said. In addition to the spike in demand, Salameh
said, some banks had given pledges that outstripped their designated quotas,
but were requested by BDL to make good on the promised loans. This took a
quick toll on the fund. “We asked them to implement their commitments,”
Salameh said, noting that the loans would be added to BDL’s 2019 funding
program. The Central Bank has typically offered commercial banks subsidized
housing loans to ease the financial pressure on borrowers seeking to buy
houses. "This is what Banque du Liban can do, because the housing policy is
not within its specialization – it is within the jurisdiction of the state.
The role of the central bank is to inject liquidity to activate the
economy,” the BDL head said. Salameh in February released a 20-page memo
hiking the interest rates on bank housing loans by half a percentage point;
thus anyone who now applies for these loans receives higher interest rates.
The memo also tightened loan conditions to allow for only one housing loan
to be taken out by each recipient, for one property. Buyers could previously
take out loans for multiple houses, on the condition that the latest house
they were buying was at least 20 kilometers away from any previously
acquired property. In the Monday meeting, Salameh also informed Aoun of the
results of his recent visit to Paris, and discussed ongoing preparations for
the Cedre Conference – a donor conference scheduled for April 6 to garner
international support for Lebanon’s economy, The two also discussed the
country’s financial situation, with Salameh describing it as “stable.”
MP Siniora rules himself out of upcoming elections
Georgi Azar/March 05/2018/Siniora, who's held the Sidon seat since 2009,
said during a news conference that he would not seek re-election despite
Prime Minister Saad Hariri's efforts to persuade him otherwise.
BEIRUT: Future MP Fouad Siniora announced
Monday that he will not be running in the upcoming parliamentary elections,
yet stressed that his relationship with the Future Movement would not be
jeopardized. Siniora, who's held the Sidon seat since 2009, said during a
news conference that he would not seek re-election despite Prime Minister
Saad Hariri's efforts to persuade him otherwise. On Sunday, Hariri met with
Siniora after he returned to Beirut at the conclusion of his 4-day Saudi
visit, the first since tensions between both countries simmered in the wake
of his brief resignation.
The visit was seen as an attempt to mend ties between Hariri and the Kingdom
ahead of the country's first parliamentary elections since 2009. Hariri's
brief resignation was seen as a politically orchestrated move by Saudi
Arabia, with President Michel Aoun accusing the Kingdom of holding him
against his well. Siniora taking himself out of the running suggests that
alliances in the Sidon and Jezzine districts, which have been merged into
one electoral district following the new electoral law, have yet to be
finalized, amid media reports hinting at a possible Free Patriotic
Movement-Future alliance.
The former Prime Minister, who served from 2005 until 2008, underscored the
failure to rid Hezbollah of "its illegal weapons" as one of the reasons for
not running. Siniora was one the Future Movement insiders that opposed the
political deal between Hariri, Hezbollah, and Aoun which elected the latter
president.
Doueihy: Clear Vision
to Be Articulated Once Electoral Alliances Are Sealed
Kataeb.org/ Monday 05th March 2018/Kataeb's candidate for the Maronite seat
in Zgharta, Michel Doueihy, on Monday said that a clear vision will be
articulated once electoral alliances are sealed in said electoral district,
adding that it is still pending the outcome of contacts between Free
Patriotic Movement chief Gebran Bassil and the Independence Movement leader
Michel Mouawad. Doueihy told Al-Kalima Online website that he will be
allying with whoever shares with him the same values and political
viewpoints, describing his personal ties with the Marada Movement as "very
good" despite differences.
"The preferential votes, not alliances, will be decisive this time as per
the new electoral law. That's the criterion based on which a candidate is
allowed to join a list or not."
Salameh: Keserwan Became a Deprived Area Due to Unkept
Promises
Kataeb.org/ Monday 05th March 2018/Kataeb's candidate in the Kerserwan-Jbeil
electoral district, Chaker Salameh, on Monday stressed that Keserwan has
become one of the most deprived areas after so many promises made by the
lawmakers who were elected in 2009 have been reneged on, pinpointing the
unresolved problems that the region is still witnessing. Speaking to the
Kataeb website, Salameh said that the subsequent energy ministers have
failed to honor their pledge to reduce the levels of toxic emissions being
emitted from the Zouk power plant, saying that area's residents are now
subject to diseases due to the pollutants they have been breathing over the
past years. He also pointed out to the lack of road safety, notably on the
Ajaltoun-Farayya road which has witnessed many fatal accidents, as well as
the unbearable traffic congestion along the Jounieh highway where motorists
are trapped for hours on a daily basis.
“Many solutions have been proposed but none has seen the light of day."
Salameh deplored the pollution of the Jounieh coast due to the rubbish that
has been littering the sea off the notorious Dora landfill, adding that
Keserwan's long-admired shore has been tarnished. The Kataeb's candidate
also blasted the area's politicians for not providing jobs in both the Jeita
Grotto and Casino du Liban, noting that the majority of employees who have
been hired in both institutions do not hail from Keserwan. “No public
hospitals were also established in the area, noting that the Bouar Hospital
requires a drastic overhaul," he added. "Moreover, Keserwan's public schools
are now in a deplorable condition as they have now become almost only for
Syrians." Salameh stressed the need for a youthful and vigorous pulse of
change that would mirror the aspirations of the people of Keserwan, deeming
decentralization as key to the development of the area. "There are
candidates who are being parachuted in, while claiming that they know the
problems that the area is experiencing," he pointed out, lashing out at
electoral bribery that a competing list is resorting to.
Minister Takes Pride in Obstruction of Bassil's Power Plant Project
Kataeb.org/ Monday 05th March 2018/Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil on
Monday admitted the allegations made by FM Gebran Bassil on the obstruction
of the Deir Ammar power plant construction, saying that said project implied
corruption and embezzlement. Featuring on MTV's Dak El Jaras show on Sunday,
Bassil was asked questions on a range of topics by a group of youngsters in
a classroom. During the episode, Bassil held Khalil responsible for the
ongoing electricity crisis in Lebanon, accusing him of halting the funding
for the Deir Ammar plant project which the Foreign Minister had repeatedly
claimed that its construction would have provided an electricity supply that
runs 24 hours a day. "I am proud of foiling this project because it enclosed
an attempt to steal and squander public funds," Khalil told reporters. "This
same old platitude, that is being repeated over and over again to cover
one's failure, has to stop; the Lebanese people should know who is really
responsible for the electricity project’s fiasco,” Khalil stated.
Curbing and Containing Hezbollah Is a Key Focus
The National/ Monday 05th March 2018
If true, reports suggesting the US is encouraging Saudi Arabia to forge ties
with Lebanon’s prime minister Saad Hariri should be seen as part of a bid to
keep Lebanon out of the regional confrontation. However, it does not mean
that Washington is about to reduce pressure on Hezbollah outside Lebanon,
including militarily in Syria and Yemen. From the Israeli side, declarations
that it will not accept the presence of Iranian bases in Syria are being
coupled with speculation that the Israelis are planning a swift and
devastating invasion of Lebanon that would not stop at Hezbollah’s positions
but would also somehow affect Beirut. Yet this hypothetical escalation is
inconsistent with assumptions that the decision for now is merely to contain
Hezbollah, although they are not completely mutually exclusive. Indeed,
there are no indications at present that the US is about to shift pressure
on Iran from Syria and Yemen to Lebanon and Iraq; in the latter, the
priority for now is the general elections of May 12 and in Lebanon, the
legislative elections of May 6.
The visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to London then
Washington this month will inexorably tackle the rivalry between the two
western capitals for Saudi Aramco’s IPO, expected to be the largest in
history. But US President Donald Trump will also be anxious to discuss with
the crown prince ways to empower the Arab Gulf countries to better confront
Iran’s destabilising activities and defeat terrorism and extremism. The
relationship between Mr Hariri and Hezbollah in the framework of the
consensus government had troubled Riyadh in the past but the question now is
how the US and Saudi Arabia can work together to gradually stymie Hezbollah
at a time when Mr Hariri has to co-exist with the powerful party. For this
reason, Mr Hariri’s visit this week to Riyadh carries important implications
for the coming stage.
Mr Hariri’s vision is known and includes, according to my source, suspending
any conflict with Hezbollah and maintaining good relations with both the
Lebanese President Michel Aoun and his rival Lebanese Forces leader Samir
Geagea. Thirdly, Mr Hariri wants Saudi support at the donor conferences
assisting Lebanon’s economy and shoring up its ability to cope with its
refugee crisis. Fourthly, Mr Hariri, a Sunni leader, will not cave to any
domestic blackmail or to oneupmanship from other Sunni politicians. Fifthly,
Hariri wants excellent relations and a candid and trust-based understanding
with Saudi Arabia.
This well-informed source insists that Saudi Arabia has no issue with any of
these points. But how so, when Mr Hariri just wants to suspend the
confrontation with Hezbollah at a time when the official Saudi position is
to come down hard on the party? The source says that suspending the
confrontation does not mean ending it; it means agreeing to disagree because
the current regional conditions are not favourable for a confrontation with
Hezbollah.
The new dynamic, then, will be about reaching a compromise. Now, the focus
is on “isolating and containing, not confronting” Hezbollah, my source says.
If there is a plan to isolate and curb Hezbollah, it will not happen through
direct confrontation. If Saudi Arabia and the US want to tackle Hezbollah
directly, it is possible they would do it in Syria instead but now they have
shifted the confrontation away from Lebanon, according to the source.
In an interview with David Ignatius in the Washington Post, the Saudi crown
prince said Mr Hariri is “in a better position” in Lebanon, relative to
Hezbollah. He characterised his push against corruption and extremism as
“the shock therapy” his kingdom needed. Interestingly, Mr Hariri had used a
similar expression when he spoke from Riyadh in November to characterise his
resignation.
How can this be reconciled with the priority assigned by Riyadh to Mr Aoun’s
rival Mr Geagea, once a close ally of Mr Hariri? By keeping minimal and
formal ties with Mr Aoun and seeking an alliance with Mr Geagea.
Perhaps Saudi Arabia has really substituted its accelerationist policy with
a policy of reaching out in Lebanon. Riyadh is aware that the US decision on
Iran and Hezbollah in the Trump era is to curb and contain them, while
keeping Israel as the joker card.
Lebanon remains part of the regional equation that is in the process of
being sorted. Iran remains the priority, in Syria and Yemen. Surprisingly
Berlin, alongside Washington, London and Paris, has condemned Tehran for
violating the UN-imposed arms embargo in Yemen. This counts as a new
development in the Yemeni issue, the result of both US pressures and the
backlash against Russia’s endorsement of Iran’s incursions in Yemen, in turn
a new development. Indeed, Russia had hitherto remained outside the Yemeni
equation and the new involvement highlights Moscow’s ire with the West
because of its increasing pressures on its Syrian deployments.
The situation in Syria is becoming even more dangerous and complex, raising
concerns about a deterioration in western-Russian relations and the tragic
implications for the people of Syria. Moscow has made up its mind, deciding
to put the alliance with Damascus and Tehran at the top of its priorities,
expanding the scope of the Iran alliance to include protecting it from
accountability in Yemen. In turn, Washington has made up its mind, deciding
it will not allow Iran to hold military bases that could link Tehran to
Beirut via Iraq and Syria.
In light of all of this, the de-escalation in Lebanon may be tactical but it
is not a permanent strategy. All those concerned must therefore take stock
of this with vigilance and
Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on March 05-06/18
Netanyahu Meets Trump
at the White House
Noa Landau/Jerusalem Post/ (Washington) Mar 05, 2018/
WASHINGTON - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is meeting with U.S.
President Donald Trump on Monday for their fifth meeting in the last year.
The two leaders are expected to speak to members of the media before their
meeting in the White House.
The president and his wife Melania greeted Netanyahu and his wife Sara
outside the White House. They have entered the White House, and are expected
to deliver a joint statement momentarily.
Netanyahu and Trump are expected to discuss the U.S. ultimatum to the
European powers on the Iran nuclear deal. In January, Trump announced that
if the United States and the European countries failed to reach agreement on
amending the deal, Washington would walk away from it.
Netanyahu is expected to raise the issue of Iran’s continuing entrenchment
on the ground and the construction of factories for precision-guided
missiles in Syria and Lebanon. The prime minister will thank Trump for his
decision to accelerate the relocation of the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel
Aviv to Jerusalem and invite the president to attend the opening of the new
embassy. Before boarding the plane Saturday night for his flight to
the United States, Netanyahu said: “First of all, I will thank [President
Trump] for the historic decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem on
[Israeli] Independence Day. This is a very big present for our country.” He
went on to add that Iran would be the focus of their meeting: “its
aggression, its nuclear aspirations, and its aggressive actions in the
Middle East in general and on our borders, all of [Israel’s borders], in
particular.”
The meeting, however, will be held in the shadow of the the state's evidence
agreement signed by a third Netanyahu confidant. Nir Hefetz, Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu's "spin doctor" and confidant, reached a deal with police
to turn state's evidence in the bribery case involving the Bezeq telecom
giant and the Walla news site. He will hand over recordings of Netanyahu and
his wife Sara as part of a deal with police to turn state's evidence in the
bribery case involving the Bezeq telecom giant and the Walla news site. A
senior White House official told Haaretz a few weeks ago that the
investigations against Netanyahu were an “internal Israeli matter.” There
has been one dark cloud in the otherwise blue sky that is Trump-Netanyahu
relations since the U.S. president was inaugurated in January 2017. That
came last month, after the Israeli premier said the two sides had spoken
about a specific proposal regarding Israeli annexation of Jewish settlements
in the West Bank. Within hours, the White House responded that such
claims were false. “The United States and Israel have never discussed such a
proposal, and the president’s focus remains squarely on his
Israeli-Palestinian peace initiative,” White House spokesman Josh Raffel
said. U.S. officials are expected to bring up with Netanyahu the “peace
deal” that the Trump administration still hopes to put forth. Last month
Trump said in an interview with Israel Hayom editor-in-chief Boaz Bismuth
that he had doubts about the willingness of Israel and the Palestinians to
reach a peace agreement. When asked what Israel would have to give, in the
context of an agreement with the Palestinians, in return for U.S.
recognition of Jerusalem as its capital, Trump said “both sides will have to
make hard compromises.”
The president said Israel’s settlements “are something that very much
complicates and always have complicated making peace, so I think Israel has
to be very careful with the settlements.”
Something else that could have a dimming effect on the meeting is the
reports in The Washington Post that officials in Israel and three other
countries discussed ways to manipulate Jared Kushner, Trump’s senior adviser
and son-in-law, “due to the family company’s financial needs and his lack of
experience.” Kushner’s security clearance was recently lowered as a result
of the affair. On Tuesday, Netanyahu will address the AIPAC (American Israel
Public Affairs Committee) Policy Conference in the U.S. capital.
Noa Landau
Saudi Crown Prince,
Egyptian President Inspect Projects in Ismailiya
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 05/18/Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi and
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Defense, inspected on Monday projects in Egypt’s Ismailiya province.
Prince Mohammed had kicked off on Sunday a three-day visit to Egypt. In
Ismailiya, the two leaders inspected projects in the province’s main city
and Suez area. Head of the Suez Canal Authority, Mohab Mamish stressed that
the development project in Suez will transform Egypt into a global logistic
trade hub. He said during a ceremony before Prince Mohammed and Sisi that
the Suez Canal represents Egypt’s history, present and future. Speaking on
the sidelines of the two leaders’ visit, presidential spokesman Bassam Radi
addressed terrorism, saying that stability, security and combating terrorism
will be achieved through the people and their leadership. He noted that
Prince Mohammed and Sisi were paying a visit to Ismailiya while the security
forces and military were still carrying out their campaign against
terrorists in the Sinai region. “This proves the saying of ‘one hand builds
and the other brandishes arms’. This is the slogan of the armed forces and
political command,” he stressed. Furthermore, Radi explained that the visit
reflects the strategic historic ties between Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Prince
Mohammed chose Egypt as the first stop in an international tour, he
remarked. This is significant in regards to coordination that can take place
between Riyadh and Cairo ahead of his future meetings, he stated. On Saudi
investments, he said: “The Kingdom is the greatest Arab investor in Egypt.”
Investments have been covered in the talks between the Crown Prince and Sisi
and they will be announced later, he revealed.
On Sunday, the two leaders oversaw the signing of several agreements that
covered tourism and environment affairs.
Assad Advances Russian-Approved Military Reshuffle
Damascus- Asharq Al Awsat/March 05/18/Syrian regime head Bashar al Assad
appointed on Sunday Brigadier General Riad Abbas as commander of national
military police, after having already assigned Brigadier Suhail al-Hassan as
commander of the military operations in Eastern Ghouta.
Both appointments share Russian approval, bringing Brig. Hassan’s ‘Tiger
Forces’ troopers to Damascus’ countryside. Brig.Gen. Abbas enjoys a high
approval rate with having already been honored by Russian leaders at the
Hmeimim Air Base in Syria for his performance as head of the military police
in Aleppo and then as head of the political security branch. The appointment
of a new commander of the Syrian military police has been accepted by
Russia, at a time when the attack on Eastern Ghouta in the countryside of
Damascus, amid the insistence of Russia to restore order to control it.
Brig. Gen. Abbas is popular among pro-regime loyalists in Aleppo because of
his contempt for dissidents-- his units rely heavily on informants and
spies. He was also named in a list prepared by the Human Rights Bureau
documenting violations on 30 regime commanders responsible for carrying out
“crimes against humanity” in Syria. Since the start of the Russian military
intervention in Syria in 2015, Assad’s regime has been intently concerned
with the military police, which is responsible for regulating military
behavior.
Military police are also responsible for holding persons who have avoided
joining the draft and reserve accountable. But in light of the current
national security situation, security services and civil police interfere
with the military police’s mission. It is noteworthy that after regime
forces reclaimed control over Aleppo, the need arose for military police to
take control of the security situation and reduce pro-regime factions and
allied militias’ violations. Russian military police, which spread in Aleppo
from the end of 2016, returned 393 Chechen fighters into their country. Its
presence has reduced, as it began gradual withdrawal in 2018. During the
past few months, the Syrian regime has strongly reshuffled its military and
security apparatus. General Ali Abdullah Ayyoub was appointed defense
minister early this year. The heads of military security in Aleppo, Hama,
Tartous and Idlib were also changed.
Egyptian Army Announces Death of 10 ‘Takfiris’, Four
Soldiers in Sinai
Cairo - Asharq Al-Awsat/March 05/18/ The Egyptian army announced Sunday that
10 "Takfiris" were killed during confrontations with elements of the armed
forces and police in northern Sinai while two officers and two soldiers died
during the same operations. Egyptian Military Spokesman Col. Tamer Rifai has
issued statement No. 14 since the beginning of the counter-terrorist
“Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018” (COS 2018), on behalf of the armed
forces that was launched mid-February. The army said in a statement that its
forces "continue to defeat the forces of evil and terrorism and uproot its
roots from all over Egypt."It added that “the air forces have targeted and
destroyed six sites for terrorist elements and two booby-trapped cars
designed to target our forces in areas of operations.”The statement pointed
out that the army has received information saying that 10 militants were
hiding in one of the abandoned buildings in the city of Arish, and that
"they were killed during the clash with the army and police forces, who
seized from them six automatic rifles and quantities of ammunition.”The army
explained that four of its elements were killed during the operations and
three others were wounded. Speaking at a military ceremony attended by
President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, Egyptian Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Mohamed
Farid called for the operation to be extended, saying troops needed more
time to dismantle militant fortifications and clear explosives out of
residential neighborhoods. On the other hand, the Egyptian army announced
arresting 245 suspects in an ongoing clampdown on extremists in the Sinai
Peninsula, and it destroyed 145 shelters and warehouses in the mountainous
region along with trenches used by terrorists. The army added that a
workshop used to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IEDs) was also
discovered along with an underground storehouse containing more than 10,000
liters of petrol. They also destroyed 39 IEDs, which were planted to target
the security forces. Meanwhile, 12 cars and 28 unlicensed motorcycles used
to carry out militant attacks were also found. The air force discovered and
destroyed 11 vehicles laden with explosives and ammunition as they attempted
to infiltrate into Egypt across the nation's western borders. The army and
police have conducted 609 patrols and security checkpoints on main roads and
routes nationwide, according to the statement.
Egypt to Participate in Global Coalition Against ISIS in
London
Cairo- Asharq Al Awsat/March 05/18/Egypt will participate in a meeting of
the strategy group of the Global Coalition against ISIS to be held on
Tuesday in London, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid,
who will head the delegation. Prior to the delegation's departure to London,
Abu Zeid indicated that the meeting is important especially after ISIS has
been defeated in Syria and Iraq. The spokesperson stated that the meeting
will be held amid the international consensus on defeating ISIS and an
agreement that the terrorist organization can only be fully eradicated once
its extremist ideas are wiped out. Abu Zeid added that the meeting will
discuss an intellectual and media plan to confront ISIS and other terrorist
organizations by discussing the ways to face extremist dialogue in social
media or on the dark web or secured information networks used by them to
recruit, fund or obtain weapons. The meeting also will focus on how
different religious institutions can provide information networks with ideas
and dialogue to refute and correct the misconceptions spread by ISIS about
Islam. It will highlight the responsibility of the media and the different
roles of journalism to counter terrorism and attend to media coverage that
promotes ISIS and other terrorist content.He concluded that the delegation
will discuss during the meeting Egypt's efforts in facing terrorism,
referring to the 2018 Sinai comprehensive operation, as well as the role of
al-Azhar institution and Dar al-Iftaa to confront extremist ideas.
The meetings will include senior officials from the member states and will
discuss the communication strategy regarding combating extremism and all
important developments with regard to global terrorism, concluded Abu Zeid.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt Sign $10 Billion Deal on Mega-City
Riyadh- Asharq Al Awsat/March 05/18/Saudi Arabia has signed with Egypt an
investment agreement to develop Egyptian lands south Sinai to become part of
a planned mega-city and business zone unveiled by Saudi Arabia last October.
The two countries have set up a $10 billion joint investment fund
(Egyptians' share of this fund include the long-term leases) to invest in
lands located on the Egyptian side as part of the mega-city project, as
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in
Cairo. Reuters reported a Saudi official as saying that Egypt has committed
more than 1,000 square kilometers of land in the southern Sinai Peninsula to
NEOM project. Prince Mohammed previously announced plans for the 26,500
square km zone, known as NEOM, at an international investment conference in
Riyadh. Officials said public and private investment in the area was
eventually expected to total $500 billion. The mega-city, with its own
judicial system and legislation designed to attract international investors,
is to focus on industries such as energy and water, biotechnology, food,
advanced manufacturing and tourism, according to officials.
It is part of bold moves by the 32-year-old heir apparent to wean the
world’s top crude exporter off oil revenues. Riyadh and Cairo also signed an
environmental protocol on Sunday aimed at preserving the Red Sea’s coral
reefs and preventing“visual pollution”, the official said. Riyadh’s part of
the new joint investment fund will be cash to help develop the Egyptian side
of NEOM, which was conceived as spanning across Saudi Arabia, Egypt and
Jordan. Saudi Arabia plans to set up seven maritime tourist attraction areas
in the Red Sea, as part of NEOM, including cities and tourism projects.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia will establish more than 15 seafront and hundreds of
resorts. And on the Jordanian side, Jordan will focus on developing Aqaba as
part of Jordanian-Saudi investments. In Egypt, however, the project will
focus on two attracting areas, which are Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada, and
Egypt will work on developing them and setting up new attraction areas. In
cooperation with Jordan and Egypt, Saudi Arabia will work on attracting
European cruise and tourism companies operating in the Mediterranean, during
the summer season, in order to work later on the Red Sea project. The Red
Sea Project, made up of some 50 islands, will offer a nature reserve, diving
on coral reefs and heritage sites. Authorities have said it would break
ground in 2019 and complete its first phase by late 2022. Notably, the
Kingdom is currently negotiating with more than seven tourism and cruise
companies and planning to build yacht marinas. According to studies, flight
requests for most Mediterranean tourism companies and cruises operating in
the Mediterranean decrease after summer, and some close until the following
summer or move to the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean, where they face stiff
competition and divergence.
Based on the plans, the distance between attraction areas in the Red Sea
will not exceed a three-hour trip, in excellent conditions during the
winter.
Rouhani Describes Critics as 'Naive'
London - Asharq Al-Awsat/March 05/18/Iranian President Hassan Rouhani
addressed his critics describing them as naive, at the 50th annual meeting
for the General Assembly of the Central Bank of the Republic of Iran. He
considered that slamming the government is an attempt to undermine its
“achievements” and is a war on national interest and public trust – the
parliament responded in a quick warning while the National Security and
Foreign Policy Committee spokesperson stated that it is inappropriate that
the president offend his critics. Rouhani, again, defended his government
policies, considering that it has achieved the “big dreams” of the Iranian
economy throughout the past two decades with the inflation dropping from 40
percent to less than 10 percent. The parliament is preparing for the first
probe with Rouhani due to two prosecution requests that were signed by
parliament. The first request was signed by 76 deputies on Feb. 7 and it
aims to question him regarding the bankruptcy of financial and investment
institutions. The second request was signed by more than 100 on Feb. 22 and
it included topics such as smuggling, unemployment and increase in prices.
Rouhani didn’t comment on the investigation requests, which might cause a
political deterioration of his government and his role – he might be obliged
to compensate and change his economic team formation and the central bank
governor in order to maintain the minister of economic affairs and finance,
said observers. Rouhani's defense coincided with protests held in different
Iranian cities by investors who have lost their money due to the bankruptcy
of financial and investment institutions. The latest protest was on Saturday
in which dozens of Iranians shouted “death to Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali
Larijani”.
Fresh Air Raids on Syria's Ghouta Kill 14
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/March 05/18/Fresh air raids by the Syrian
regime on the besieged rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta killed at least
14 civilians overnight, a monitor said Monday. The Syrian Observatory for
Human Rights said barrel bombs -- crude, improvised munitions that cause
indiscriminate damage -- were used, including on the town of Hammuriyeh,
where 10 people were killed. The latest deaths brought to 709 the number of
civilians killed since regime and allied Russian forces intensified their
campaign against Eastern Ghouta in February. According to Rami Abdel Rahman,
the head of the Britain-based Observatory, at least 166 of them were
children. The deadly raids, as well as other strikes and rocket fire
elsewhere in Eastern Ghouta Monday, came as the battered enclave awaited a
convoy of humanitarian aid from the United Nations.
Aid Convoy Enters Syria Enclave as Regime Presses
Offensive
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/March 05/18/A U.N. convoy entered Syria's
Eastern Ghouta on Monday to deliver much-needed aid as regime forces seized
more ground in a fierce offensive to retake the battered rebel enclave.
The United Nations said 46 trucks had entered Eastern Ghouta and were headed
for the main town of Douma, in the first aid delivery since the start of the
regime assault last month. The aid arrived after fresh air strikes hit
Eastern Ghouta and regime troops were reported to have retaken a third of
the enclave in a rapidly advancing offensive. Western powers have piled
pressure on Damascus and its Russian ally to end the offensive on Eastern
Ghouta -- one of the bloodiest assaults of Syria's nearly seven-year civil
war -- but President Bashar al-Assad warned there would be no let up. More
than two weeks of air strikes, artillery and rocket fire have left more than
700 civilians dead and three quarters of housing damaged in the enclave.
More bombs, including crude improvised munitions known as "barrel bombs",
were dropped in overnight raids on Monday, according to the Syrian
Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group. At least 10 people were
killed in the town of Hammuriyeh, said the Britain-based Observatory, which
relies on a network of sources inside Syria. Another four died in the towns
of Hazeh and Jisreen, the monitor said, bringing to 709 the number of
civilians killed since the assault began.
Advancing at high pace
Regime troops and allied forces pushed into the enclave from the east in
recent days and by early Monday had retaken a third of Eastern Ghouta,
according to the Observatory. "Regime forces are advancing at a high pace
because operations so far are mostly conducted in farmland," Observatory
head Rami Abdel Rahman said, adding that they had pushed to two kilometers
(1.2 miles) southeast of Douma. The armed groups there, one of which is made
up of fighters from al-Qaida's ex-affiliate, have been lobbing mortar rounds
and firing rockets on adjacent neighborhoods of Damascus, killing around 20
civilians in two weeks. The latest ground offensive sent hundreds of
civilians fleeing from their homes to other areas farther from the moving
front line, compounding a humanitarian crisis which has drawn comparisons
with the devastating 2016 battle of Aleppo. Over the years, Eastern Ghouta's
estimated 400,000 inhabitants have depended for their survival on smuggling,
local farm and rare aid deliveries. Monday's convoy was delivering "health
and nutrition supplies, along with food for 27,500 people in need," the
U.N.'s Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs (OCHA) in Syria said. An
OCHA spokesperson however said "the U.N. and partners were informed that
many of the planned health supplies intended for Douma were not allowed to
be loaded and not permitted to be replaced with other life-saving items."
"The items included trauma kits and other life-saving supplies," Linda Tom
told AFP. The U.N. has said it has approval to deliver aid to a total of
70,000 people among the most needy in Eastern Ghouta. The United States
issued a statement Sunday condemning the assault and accusing Moscow of
ignoring a U.N. resolution calling for a 30-day cessation of hostilities. It
said Russia has killed "innocent civilians under the false auspices of
counterterrorism operations." U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime
Minister Theresa May said Russia and Syria were responsible for
"heart-breaking human suffering" in Eastern Ghouta. Moscow has offered safe
passage to non-combatants wishing to leave Eastern Ghouta during daily
"humanitarian pauses", but no Syrian civilians have left the enclave since
the first break in fighting took effect on Tuesday, the Observatory says.
Damascus and Moscow have accused rebels of preventing civilians from leaving
to use them as human shields. In remarks broadcast on state television on
Sunday, Assad said his forces would push forward with the offensive. "The
majority (of people) in Eastern Ghouta want to escape the embrace of
terrorism. The operation must continue," he said.
French Foreign Minister in Tehran for Tense Talks
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/March 05/18/French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves
Le Drian was in Tehran Monday to push for pledges on Iran's ballistic
missile program in a bid to preserve the country's historic nuclear deal. It
is the first visit by one of the European signatories to the 2015 nuclear
agreement since U.S. President Donald Trump set an ultimatum that he would
abandon it in May if it was not "improved."Le Drian arrived early Monday in
Tehran and held talks with officials including Foreign Minister Mohammad
Javad Zarif. He was due later to meet President Hassan Rouhani. Tensions
were already surfacing ahead of the talks, with Zarif accusing the Europeans
of pandering to Washington. "In order to keep the United States in the Iran
nuclear deal, European countries are suffering from extremism and this will
ultimately undermine Europe's policy," Zarif told reformist newspaper Etemad.
Trump in January set a 120-day deadline for U.S. lawmakers and European
allies to "fix" his predecessor Barack Obama's major foreign policy
achievement or face a U.S. exit. He is concerned that parts of the deal
start to expire from 2026 and that it fails to address Iran's missile
program and its regional activities. A U.S. exit could kill the nuclear
deal, which the Islamic republic has refused to re-negotiate. European
countries have voiced increasing concern over the missile program, which
Iran says is purely defensive and not up for negotiation. Le Drian said last
month that the missile program and Iran's involvement in regional conflicts
needed to be addressed if Tehran "wants to return to the family of nations."
'Trump's Parisian lackey'
Iran has insisted it is abiding by the deal, which saw Tehran curb its
nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of crippling international
sanctions. Western powers say the deal prevents Iran from developing nuclear
weapons, though Tehran has always said its atomic program is for peaceful
purposes only. In an interview ahead of the visit, Le Drian told newspaper
Journal du Dimanche that Tehran was "exposing itself to new sanctions" if it
did not rein in its missile program. Conservative media in Iran hit back on
Monday, with daily Kayhan writing: "French foreign minister insults people
of Iran before visit to Tehran". Daily Javan headlined its story: "Trump's
Parisian lackey in Tehran". Ahead of the visit, Le Drian's team told AFP the
minister had made it clear to Tehran that he is no "emissary of Donald
Trump". "We want to preserve the nuclear deal because it is working, it's
robust and because the Iranians are respecting it," Le Drian's team said. Le
Drian also early on Monday met Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme
National Security Council and a close ally of Iran's supreme leader Ali
Khamenei. After his talks, he was due to inaugurate a new exhibition with
works from the Louvre Museum in Tehran. Le Drian will also be pushing in his
talks to have Tehran put pressure on the Syrian regime, a key ally, to end
its devastating assault on the rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta near
Damascus. Despite their differences, Iran has welcomed French efforts to
re-engage economically and politically.
Last year, Iran signed a $5 billion gas exploration deal with French energy
giant Total, Tehran's biggest since the nuclear accord.
New Setback for Netanyahu as ex-Aide Signs State
Witness Deal
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/March 05/18/An ex-aide to Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signed a state witness deal in a corruption
probe linked to his former boss, Israeli media reported Monday, dealing a
new setback to the premier.
News of the agreement broke ahead of Netanyahu's meeting with U.S. President
Donald Trump at the White House later Monday. The widely reported agreement
between Israeli authorities and Nir Hefetz, a former spokesman for the
Netanyahu family, comes as corruption investigations into the prime minister
intensify. Israeli police provided no details on the reported agreement.
Hefetz would be the third Netanyahu associate to sign a state witness deal
in recent months. An aide to Netanyahu immediately denounced the reports and
proclaimed the long-serving prime minister's innocence. "When there's
something there, it doesn't take even one state witness," the aide said.
"And now, even a thousand state witnesses will not help." On Sunday, an
Israeli court released Hefetz and telecoms mogul Shaul Elovitch and put them
under house arrest after 14 days in custody. Hefetz is alleged to have acted
as a messenger between Netanyahu, Elovitch's telecoms group Bezeq and news
website Walla!, media reports say. Police suspect Bezeq was given regulatory
breaks in return for Netanyahu receiving positive coverage on Walla!, a news
website owned by the telecoms group. Hefetz is also suspected of trying to
bribe a retired judge to block a probe into the prime minister's wife, Sara
Netanyahu, over alleged misuse of public funds, according to the reports.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Hefetz had agreed to hand over
recordings of Netanyahu and his wife as part of the state witness deal.
Early elections?
Last month, Israeli police recommended Netanyahu's indictment on two other
cases of alleged bribery. The attorney general is now considering how to
move forward in those cases. In one case, Netanyahu and family members are
suspected of receiving one million shekels ($285,000, 230,000 euros) in
gifts, including luxury cigars, champagne and jewelery, from wealthy figures
in exchange for financial or personal favors. In the other case,
investigators suspect the premier of trying to reach an agreement with the
owner of Yediot Aharonot newspaper for more favorable coverage. Israeli
media reported that Hefetz could also provide testimony in those two
investigations. The building investigations into Netanyahu's affairs have
raised questions over whether the 68-year-old will eventually have to step
down. He has been prime minister for a total of around 12 years. The probes
have also led to speculation in the Israeli media that he may opt for early
elections in the coming months in a bid to bolster his standing before a
decision on indictments is made. Polls have suggested Netanyahu could remain
prime minister in fresh elections despite the corruption investigations
hanging over him. He is also set to reap further political benefits in May
when the United States relocates its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to the
disputed city of Jerusalem, a move popular among Israelis even though it has
been denounced across the world. Before boarding the plane for the United
States on Saturday night, Netanyahu said he did not want to call early
elections and hoped his right-wing coalition would survive its entire
mandate, which expires in November 2019. However, politicians across the
board sense elections may be on the horizon and have hardened their
approach. A dispute that has arisen within the coalition in recent days
could prove to be its undoing. Ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties want a law
passed to allow religious students to continue to be exempted from military
conscription. Other members of the coalition oppose such a law, but the
ultra-Orthodox have threatened to block a 2019 budget that Finance Minister
Moshe Kahlon wants to see approved this month.
Saudi Crown Prince visits Egypt’s Coptic Cathedral in
Cairo
Staff writer, Al Arabiya English/Monday, 5 March 2018/Saudi Arabia’s Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman has arrived at the St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox
Cathedral in Cairo in an historic visit to the church. Prince Mohammed was
met by Pope Tawadros II, 118th and current Pope of Alexandria. Earlier in
the day, the prince visited the office of the Al-Azhar Sheikh. In the
evening, the Saudi Crown Prince and Sisi will see an improvisation theater
show at Cairo’s Opera House focused on correcting destructive ideas and
fighting terrorism.
Saudi Crown Prince Discusses Economy on Egypt Trip
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/March 05/18/Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin
Salman continued a visit to Egypt on Monday focused on economic cooperation,
with Riyadh agreeing a $10 billion investment with Cairo for a futuristic
mega city project. Prince Mohammed accompanied Egyptian President Abdel
Fattah al-Sisi to review construction projects near the Suez Canal before
boarding a boat with the president to tour the waterway. A Saudi government
source said the two countries had agreed to set up a joint $10 billion fund
to develop areas of Egypt linked to the NEOM project. The $500 billion NEOM
mega city, unveiled by Prince Mohammed last year, is planned to be a biotech
and digital hub spread over 26,500 square kilometers (10,000 square miles)
in an area facing Jordan and Egypt. The Saudi government source said the
joint fund, which involves leased land for the Egyptian share, would be used
to develop lands in the south of the Sinai Peninsula as part of NEOM. Prince
Mohammed, who landed in Cairo on Sunday, is to fly to Britain on Wednesday
and later this month to the United States, in his first forays abroad as
crown prince. His visit to Egypt deals with "economic and investment
cooperation," Egyptian presidency spokesman Bassam Radi told state
television. Prince Mohammed and Sisi agreed in talks to bolster economic
ties and launch joint projects, "particularly in the tourism sector on the
Red Sea," Radi said. Later on Monday Prince Mohammed met Egypt's top cleric
Ahmed al-Tayeb of the Al-Azhar institution, whose historic mosque in Cairo
is being renovated with Saudi funding.
He will also meet Coptic Pope Tawadros II. Saudi Arabia views Egypt as a
cornerstone of regional stability, after former army chief Sisi overthrew
his Islamist predecessor Mohamed Morsi in 2013. Riyadh viewed Morsi's Muslim
Brotherhood with suspicion and at one point briefly recalled its ambassador
from Cairo during his turbulent year in power. It has since showered Cairo
with aid to prop up the country's economy, in a relationship that has led to
some controversy in Egypt. In 2015, during a visit by King Salman to Cairo,
the two countries agreed on the transfer of two Red Sea islands to Saudi
Arabia, sparking protests in Egypt. Sisi ratified the deal last year, and
Egypt's top court annulled lower court rulings for and against the treaty on
the eve of the crown prince's arrival. Prince Mohammed's visit comes ahead
of Egypt's presidential polls in late March, with Sisi expected to win a
second four-year term. The visit would be "interpreted as proof of Saudi
support for Sisi to remain as the president of Egypt," Mostafa Kamel al-Sayed,
a political science professor at Cairo University, told AFP. Cairo and
Riyadh have maintained close ties, although Egypt has signaled a lack of
enthusiasm for Saudi regional policy, both on the Yemen war and a potential
escalation with Iran. But it is among a bloc of Arab nations that joined a
Saudi-led boycott since June of Qatar. The crown prince's tour also aims to
court investors and comes after a tumultuous period that has seen a military
shake-up and a royal purge in Saudi Arabia. Prince Mohammed is already seen
as the country's de facto ruler controlling the major levers of government.
South Korean Envoys in Historic Trip to Meet North's
Kim
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/March 05/18/The most senior South Koreans to
travel North for more than a decade arrived in Pyongyang Monday to meet
leader Kim Jong Un, the latest step in an Olympics-driven rapprochement on
the divided peninsula.
The delegation, who traveled as envoys of the South's President Moon Jae-in,
are pushing for talks between the nuclear-armed regime and the United
States, after Kim sent his sister to the Pyeongchang Winter Games. "It was
agreed... that they would attend a meeting and dinner with Kim Jong Un,"
said Moon's spokesman. Kim Yo Jong's trip was the first visit to the South
by a member of the North's ruling dynasty since the end of the 1950-53
Korean War, and her appearance at the Games' opening ceremony -- where
athletes from the two Koreas marched together -- made global headlines. Moon
has sought to use the Pyeongchang Games to open dialogue between Washington
and Pyongyang in hopes of easing a nuclear standoff that has heightened
fears over global security. In Seoul, Kim Yo Jong invited him to a summit in
Pyongyang on her brother's behalf. But Moon did not immediately accept,
saying the right conditions were necessary first. Before leaving for
Pyongyang, the South's national security adviser Chung Eui-yong said: "We
plan to hold in-depth discussions for ways to continue not only inter-Korean
talks but dialogue between North Korea and the international community
including the United States."It is a challenging task -- in defiance of U.N.
sanctions, the isolated and impoverished North last year staged its most
powerful nuclear test and test-fired several missiles, some of them capable
of reaching the U.S. mainland. U.S. President Donald Trump dubbed Kim
"Little Rocket Man" and boasted about the size of his own nuclear button,
while the North Korean leader called Trump a "mentally deranged U.S.
dotard."They traded threats of war and sent tensions soaring before a thaw
in the run-up to the Winter Olympics. "We will deliver President Moon's firm
resolution to denuclearise the Korean peninsula and to create sincere and
lasting peace," delegation leader Chung told reporters. Chung is one of five
senior officials who flew to Pyongyang on Monday. It was the first
ministerial-level South Korean visit to the North since December 2007, when
Seoul's then-intelligence chief traveled to Pyongyang.
Conservative Lee Myung-bak was elected the South's president the following
day and took a markedly harder line on relations with the North.
Washington connection
Monday's delegation included spy chief Suh Hoon, who is a veteran in
dealings with the North. He is known to have been deeply involved in
negotiations to arrange two previous inter-Korean summits in 2000 and 2007.
The North's official Korean Central News Agency also announced their
impending visit in a one-paragraph dispatch. The 10-member group -- five top
delegates and five supporting officials -- will return to Seoul on Tuesday.
Other members include Suh's deputy at the National Intelligence Service as
well as Chun Hae-sung, the vice minister in Seoul's unification ministry
which handles cross-border affairs. The delegation will fly to the U.S. on
Wednesday to explain the result of the two-day trip to officials in
Washington, according to the South's presidential office. Moon, who
advocates dialogue with the North's nuclear-armed regime, said last week
that Washington needs to "lower the threshold for talks" with Pyongyang. But
the U.S. has ruled out any possibility of talks before the North takes steps
towards denuclearization, and imposed what Trump hailed as the "toughest
ever" sanctions on Kim's regime late last month.
Egypt State TV Presenter Held for 'Defaming Police'
Released
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/March 05/18/Egyptian authorities on Monday
released on bail a prominent state television talk show presenter after he
was briefly held on accusations he insulted the police, officials said.
Pro-government Khairy Ramadan had been ordered detained late Sunday after he
last month discussed the alleged low salaries of police officers on his show
"Egypt Today" on the public Channel 1. Citing a policeman's wife, Ramadan
had presented a breakdown of the officer's monthly gross salary of 6,890
pounds ($390, 320 euros), with which he has to provide for his family. He
was released on Monday on a 10,000-pound bail (about $560), officials said.
His detention came after authorities warned they were keeping a close eye on
media and would take action against anyone spreading "false" news. Egypt is
currently gearing up for presidential elections on March 26-28 that
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi looks certain to win. The state prosecution
said Wednesday that it would monitor news outlets and social media "in light
of recent observed attempts to harm the security and safety of the homeland
by publishing lies and false news." Prosecutors were ordered to "take the
necessary measures under the criminal law" against "false statements, news
and rumors that harm public safety or bring terror into the hearts of
individuals."
Russia suggests Tillerson-Lavrov meeting in Ethiopia
this week: RIA
Mon 05 Mar 2018/NNA - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on
Monday that Russia had suggested a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister
Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Ethiopia this
week, the RIA news agency reported. Both men are expected to make Africa
trips this week and Ryabkov was cited as saying that Moscow had proposed
they hold talks in Ethiopia at the end of the week.Ryabkov also commented on
the situation in Syria’s eastern Ghouta rebel-held enclave. The Interfax
news agency cited him as saying that the U.S. assessment of the situation
there “did not correspond to reality.” ---Reuters
Macron presses Putin to ensure Syria respects
ceasefire: Elysee
Mon 05 Mar 2018/ NNA - Emmanuel Macron urged Russian President Vladimir
Putin in a telephone call Monday to ensure Syria accepts "without any
ambiguity" a U.N. resolution calling for a 30-day ceasefire, the French
president's office said.
"Acknowledging that armed opposition groups have accepted the humanitarian
truce, and the inadequacy of the five-hour humanitarian "pause" decided by
Russia, President Emmanuel Macron stressed that humanitarian convoys must be
able to reach all populations in need unhindered and without further delay,"
the Elysee Palace said in a statement. ---Reuters
Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources
published on March 05-06/18
Do Western "Goodists" Really Care about
Helping Syrians, Palestinians?
Giulio Meotti/Gatestone Institute/March 05/18
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/11946/western-goodists-syrians-palestinians
The West is drowning in a sea of double standards and moral relativism in
which murderers and tyrants are allowed to wallow in their crimes, while
global indignation is turned only against the sole democracy in the Middle
East: Israel.
Israeli hospitals have never stopped treating Palestinians, even during wars
in Gaza. In Syria, by comparison, Bashar Al-Assad continues to bomb the
country's hospitals.
Instead of scapegoating Israel, perhaps these "goodists", if they really
care about helping oppressed people, as they claim, will finally promote a
freedom flotilla to liberate Gaza from Hamas's tyranny and Syria from
Assad's butchery?
It all happened around the same time, 200 kilometers apart. In one photo,
Israeli schools were involved in a national drill in the event of a missile
attack. In the other photo, a real missile attack in Syria caused 200
deaths, many of which were of children. On one side, you have Israel, a
democracy forced to protect its children. On the other side, you have Syria,
a brutal dictatorship where the civil war has caused more than 400,000
deaths.
Last month, an Israeli plane was shot down by Syrian anti-aircraft fire. If
the Syrian regime, backed by Iran and Russia, is willing to kill 200
innocent Syrians, just think what they would do to other countries'
citizens, if they had the means. Yet, going by media reports of the
incident, one would think that Israel had been the aggressor.
How many resolutions has the United Nations dedicated against Syria the last
year? Two. How many resolutions against Israel? 21. Both accurate reporting
and international law have become distorted into serving as the enemies of
humanity and civilization.
The West is drowning in a sea of double standards and moral relativism:
murderers and tyrants are allowed to wallow in their crimes, while global
indignation is turned only against the sole democracy in the Middle East:
Israel. Photo-opportunities must not be ruined by a row of bodies in a
Syrian morgue; better to cover the story of a 17-year-old Palestinian Arab
girl punching and kicking an Israeli soldier.
Israeli children running to bomb shelters periodically become a scene of
ordinary life in Israel. Four-year-olds, such as Daniel Tragerman, are
killed if they do not reach the shelter in time. Palestinian terrorists
launch missiles into Israel from Gaza's schools and the world sides with the
terrorists -- and condemns the Jewish State. The American website Salon
recently called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "the most
dangerous man in the Middle East". And here you thought it was Bashar
al-Assad -- the poison-gasser in Damascus -- or perhaps Iran's tyrants at
home, in Yemen and Lebanon, who were destabilizing the Middle East?
Israeli soldiers were just wounded on the border of the Gaza Strip; Hamas
missiles hit Israeli homes. And the world lectures Israel, under direct
attack from its neighbors, about morality?
On September 11, 2005, after Israel totally disengaged from the Gaza Strip,
CNN announced: "The Israeli flag has been lowered over Gaza, symbolizing the
end of 38 years of Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory two weeks
ahead of schedule". All the same, since then, "the Israeli occupation of
Gaza", sometimes called a "siege", is promoted as a myth, even though Israel
ships massive amounts of food, medicine and humanitarian supplies to Gaza
every day, while Egypt, except for rare occasions, keeps its border with
Gaza shut. Israel, even now, is working with Qatar, an emirate that does not
recognize the Jewish State, to allow aid into Gaza.
Israeli hospitals have never stopped treating Palestinians, even during wars
in Gaza. Last year, one single Israeli hospital in Gaza treated 400 children
from the Gaza Strip. Even the daughter of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas's leader in
Gaza, was admitted to a Tel Aviv hospital.
In Syria, by comparison, Assad continues to bomb the country's hospitals.
Since 2011, 454 attacks have targeted 310 medical facilities in Syria. So,
which country does the World Health Organization single out to probe for
healthcare "abuse"? Israel, of course.
According to both Israeli and Palestinian estimates, Hamas spends $100
million a year on military infrastructure in Gaza, of which $40 million of
the annual total goes to digging its terror-attack tunnels. According to
another estimate by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, that money could instead
have built 1,500 homes, 24,000 hospital beds, six medical clinics and three
water facilities. Rather than manufacturing missiles to launch against
Israel, Hamas could build a water-desalination plant. But Hamas continues to
use its imported cement to reinforce its terror tunnels, rather than, as
promised, building homes, schools and hospitals; and it continues using
Palestinian schools as launching-pads for rockets they fire at Israeli
kindergartens.
With the Marshall Plan after the Second World War, America distributed $60
billion (in today's inflation-adjusted dollars) to rebuild all of Western
Europe. According to the World Bank, the Palestinians have received more
than half that amount, $31 billion, in aid since 1993. The money has largely
ended up funding terrorism and corruption.
Instead of scapegoating Israel, perhaps these "goodists", if they really
care about helping oppressed people, as they claim, will finally promote a
freedom flotilla to liberate Gaza from Hamas's tyranny and Syria from
Assad's butchery?
**Giulio Meotti, Cultural Editor for Il Foglio, is an Italian journalist and
author.
© 2018 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.
Economics Needs a Few More Theories
Karl W. Smith/Bloomberg/March 05/18
A lot of my economist colleagues are enthusiastic about the promise of the
empirical revolution in our field. They acknowledge the methodological
problems of the young movement, but see the solution as more and better
empirics. I, on the other hand, think that what’s needed is a larger dose of
theory.
The benefits of the empirical revolution are clear. Prior to the 1980s,
researchers spent most of their energy erecting an edifice of clever but
untested theories. The advent of cheap desktop computers gave the next
generation the power to put those theories to the test.
The edifice cracked. In 1997, the scholars David Card and Alan Krueger
presented research showing that minimum-wage increases did not lead to lower
employment, as prevailing economic theory would have predicted. The subtext
was clear. Theory was fiction. Empirics were fact.
At roughly the same time, worries had been cropping up about the techniques
of empirical science. These concerns first arose in the field of nutrition,
where researchers typically used widely accepted double-blind placebo trials
to test their theories. Subjects were randomly assigned to say take, say, a
fish oil supplement or a placebo. Neither the subjects nor the doctors
studying them would be told who received the real fish oil.
Over the course of the study, doctors would measure cardiovascular risk
factors like blood pressure or cholesterol count. Any differences that
emerged between the groups could plausibly be attributed to the nutritional
effects of the fish oil.
Studies similar to this were indeed performed. The fish oil groups were
found to have improved risk factors and fish oil supplements were heralded
as a new wonder treatment for heart disease. Only they weren’t. Subsequent
trials repeatedly revealed no significant effect of fish oil on health.
One might argue that this disappointing result actually showed that the
scientific system was working. Faulty early results were contradicted by
subsequent research. The problem of emprics was cured by more empirics.
Except it’s not always so simple. Brian Wansink of Cornell University has
been one of the most successful food researchers in history, studying what
worked and didn’t work to change eating behavior. His papers have been cited
over 24,000 times and he was appointed by the administration of President
Barack Obama to oversee the production of 2010 agriculture department
dietary guidelines.
His reputation as a researcher was spectacular, as measured by his h-index,
a statistic used to gauge how influential a scholar has been. Wansink’s
rating at the time was over 70; by comparison, the London School of
Economics estimates that the average professor of economics has a score of
7.6 and that the highest feasible score in economics is probably 45 to 50.
Few people were more influential in nutrition policy or research. Yet in
March of last year, the Netherlands-based researcher Tim van der Zee
released the Wansink Dossier, a list of errors and improprieties in
Wansink’s published work. The list alleges a variety of infractions in at
least 50 of Wansink’s papers, which were collectively cited 4,000 times.Van
der Zee’s investigation began not because Wansink’s work was refuted by
later work, but because Wansink wrote a blog post in 2016 praising a young
researcher for refusing to give up in her attempt to confirm his
discoveries. Reporting later revealed that Wansink coached her to parse and
re-parse her data, running statistical experiment after statistical
experiment until she produced the finding he expected.
She compiled and published four papers based on that work, all of which
cited and supported Wansink’s claims. What makes this such a crucial case is
that Wansink wasn’t intentionally ginning up bad science. He was bragging to
the world about what he thought was good science.
Experts in scientific methodology have called Wansink’s work “storytelling
rather than science.” Indeed, Wansink had a story to tell. Almost all
dedicated scientists do. And while Wansink is an extreme outlier, it’s quite
common for researchers to report findings consistent with their favored
stories. This is how schools of thought grow up.
It’s also why theory performs such an important function. The purpose of
theory is to lay one’s story bare; to present it to the world in a common,
often mathematical framework that any other trained theorist can interpret
and criticize. Those criticisms help refine the theory, but eventually they
lead to disputes that can only be settled by empirical investigations.
The effort to confirm or disprove a theory is what drives the most powerful
empirical investigations. For example, quantum theory posited the existence
of an elusive subatomic particle dubbed the Higgs boson. Efforts to
demonstrate its existence inspired construction of the world’s most powerful
particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider. In 2012, the particle was
indeed discovered.
Card and Krueger’s type of findings have been reproduced by one school of
economists. An opposing school led by David Neumark of the University of
California at Irvine has argued for the opposite conclusion, that a minimum
wage does result in job losses. The camps continue to pump out research,
mostly confirming their respective points of view.
What’s needed is a solid new theory to replace the conventional wisdom that
was upended by Card and Krueger. It would outline how the two schools’
methods are consistent with the results that they find, and derive a third
test that could theoretically distinguish between the two. The next
generation of empirical researchers could dedicate their talents to making
that test a reality.
Oil, a Curse or a Blessing?
Abdulrahman Al-Rashed/Asharq Al Awsat//March 05/18
There are two important dates in Saudi Arabia: the day when King Abdulaziz
bin Abdulrahman established the kingdom and the date when the American
company Standard Oil discovered oil on in the newly-established kingdom.
It’s been 80 years since the day that changed the future of Saudi Arabia
following five years of failure. Their attempts to find resources finally
yielded results when they discovered well no.7 which released a huge
fountain of black oil in the sky.
If King Abdulaziz had not unified this huge country, there would have been
smaller states fighting in the Arabian Peninsula. If oil hadn’t been
discovered, the country would have suffered due to its weather conditions
and rare water resources and pastures.
Before the Americans dug for oil, the British were in the kingdom exploring.
However they were convinced there was no oil there so they left and gave up
on cooperation with the king. Britain’s viceroy in India responded to the
king’s letter himself after the latter proposed cooperation. He said Britain
does not desire to cooperate with him and he must handle his affairs on his
own, adding that all that concerns the British Empire is that no one
obstructs its fleet’s navigation activity in Gulf waters.
After this harsh reply, the king went to the Americans who had nothing to do
with the region. The Americans came from the end of the world to try their
luck. It’s said that the Americans did not want to upset Britain for working
in their traditional areas of influence so they told the British that they
went to Saudi Arabia to help find water for the locals.
Although oil was discovered in Saudi Arabia in the 1930s, it was not
exported and it did not become a financial resource until around 20 years
later. This was due to international economic circumstances and World War
II.
We are now entering a new phase as there are plenty of doubts regarding oil
as a reliable economic resource. The state’s official policy is based on
searching for other options that decrease reliance on oil. Those devising
the new policy believe that resuming work according to the old logic – that
oil is the only resource – may lead to the collapse of the entire national
economy if it makes modest incomes due to dangerous shifts in the oil
alternatives market. No one can assert anything yet but relying on oil is
not a solution.
The true 'curse'
Some believe oil has been a curse on the region due to fighting over
oil-rich areas and exporting it and because it brought superpowers from
across the world and they ended up competing to provide it for their own
markets. However, oil could have been a blessing for those who used it
right. The region, and not just Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries, is lucky
because around half of its countries are rich in oil and make easy incomes
out of it. Unfortunately, the problem has always been related to how its
wealth is managed.
There is no “curse of oil” but a curse due to the people whose lands are
rich in oil as they squandered the greatest opportunities in the history of
their countries. When we recall what Saddam Hussein did to oil revenues in
Iraq and what Muammar Gaddafi did to oil revenues in Libya and what Qatar is
doing now with its oil revenues, we feel sorry for what ignorant people have
done to their countries’ resources.
These are depleting resources which lucky ones get the chance to make use of
once in their history. If they use them wisely, they will change their sons’
future and their countries’ future for generations to come, and if they
misuse them, they will destroy them and impoverish them making them poorer
than they were before discovering oil!
The Hour of the Strong Man
Ghassan Charbel/Asharq Al Awsat//March 05/18
The belief has been that the age of the strong leaders ended with the past
century. Their emergence was linked to extraordinary developments in the
fabric of wars of independence or world wars. Observing latest developments
demonstrate that the challenges of this century are no less demanding than
the previous one, even if the circumstances and factors have changed.
It appears that our time is awaiting a strong man. One who is able to open
the windows of hope, garner good will, bridge distances and make initiatives
when others hesitate. A man who breaks the paralysis and dares to think
outside the box. We need people of vision, decision-makers and those with a
strong will to overcome the difficult challenges.
Sometimes the emergence of an extraordinary man prevents a country from
falling into the abyss it was headed towards. This man reawakens the dreams
of the youth and allows them to take part in deciding a country’s fate. He
averts bloody conflicts and fatal collapses.
The West is no longer able to produce a “strong man”. Democracy fears the
powerful, who harbor a deep-rooted dream for unlimited power. This is why
the West has grown adept at devising formulas that can rein in their dreams.
Unforgiving constitutions. The minute he celebrates a victory, he is aware
of the date of his departure. Parliament will not hesitate in putting
obstacles in his way. The public will not hesitate in pouncing on any
slip-up. The traps of the opposition and journalists will bleed the
president’s reputation. Blood will be shed on a daily basis on social media.
It is clear that democracies are banking on the role of institutions and
their continuity, not on an all-powerful leader.
The West, however, despite its advancement and enlightenment, is not the
whole world. Wrong are those who believe that the global village will
scramble to adopt the example that declared victory after the fall and
suicide of the Soviet Union. We are now witnessing the confusion of the
global arena at the rise of boxers who are difficult to be labeled as
democratic, at least in the western sense.
The situation in the West is well-known. The United States and the world are
hanging on the words of a tweeting president. The German chancellor was able
to remain in her post, but election results tarnished her image. The
honeymoon between the man in the Elysee and the French people is coming to
an end. The lady in 10 Downing Street is struggling in leading the divorce
from the European Union.
The situation in China is completely different than the one in the global
village. We are witnessing the birth of the Mao Zedong of the 21st century.
There are some who believe that China is preparing to live under the reign
of a new emperor. It is wrong to believe that the development there does not
concern us. We are speaking here about a country of 1.4 billion people and
the world’s second strongest economy.
A few days ago, the Communist Party of China surprised the world when it
removed the two-term limit clause in the constitution. The party also
proposed introducing President Xi Jinping’s thought into the constitution.
This is an honor that none of Mao’s predecessors enjoyed. This simply means
that Xi’s voyage with China will be open-ended. The 2023 end date of his
current term is now just a stop in a lifelong presidency that is envied by
President Donald Trump, who admires Xi.
It is clear that Xi succeeded in the past five years in paving the way for
an open-ended stay on Mao’s throne. He tamed the army generals and barons of
war. He led a strict campaign against corruption that toppled major and
stubborn figures. Whoever is observing the situation in China realizes the
significance of this coup. In 1982, the party forced the leader to leave
after he completed two terms. It sought to avoid the emergence of a strong
figure. It avoided the emergence of a man, who enjoys freedom to act as he
wished, similar to Mao, especially in wake of the cultural revolution that
led to major human and economic losses.
The prevalent belief in the West was that Russia, which was rising from the
rubble of the Soviet Union, would follow in the footsteps of western
countries and be inspired to establish a democracy despite a long stay under
single-party rule. This did not happen. Since the beginning of the century,
Russia has been ruled by a man who succeeded in forming a Russian version of
democracy. A guaranteed parliament and press. An ongoing crackdown on civil
society and a lack of independent public opinion that can express opposition
and demand accountability.
A strong leader called Vladimir Putin was born. He reshaped the internal
scene, his country’s image abroad and its standing among major powers. The
man holds all the strings and running in election is a cakewalk for him. He
has regained Crimea and destabilized Ukraine. He intervened militarily in
Syria and imposed his role on the regional and international scenes.
China is also headed towards unprecedented challenges. Its rise sparks
concerns among countries near and far. The Belt and Road initiative is a
clear demonstration of its aspiration to play an exceptional role in the
global economy, and eventually the political arena. The position of the
world’s most powerful economy for decades to come makes it a viable rival in
major tussles with the US.
On the internal scene, the challenges are not simple. Preserving a high
development rate. Preserving stability in a society that is witnessing
demands for improvement among millions of its people, who want to take part
in drawing the future of their country. This is not possible however within
the current party rules. The process of modernity and catching up with the
successive technological revolutions. Dealing with the digital revolution
and transforming each citizen into a journalist, publisher and witness.
Given these factors, the Communist Party in China pave the way for the
“strong leader” phenomenon. Perhaps it sensed that a permanent leader was
necessary on the internal and foreign scenes for the upcoming phase. The
need to preserve prosperity and stability combined. The need to advance
China towards the position of major player on the international scene.
Perhaps this is why some believe that Putin’s latest war speech that was
directed to the West was not a stance. The primary competitor to the strong
man in the Kremlin is the strong man sitting on Mao’s throne, which is not
very far from Russia.
Iran on fast forward
thanks to nuclear deal
إيران تسير قدماً بكل برامجها العدائية والتسليحية بسبب الاتفاق النووي غير
السوي معها
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/March 05/18
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/62979
The Iranian regime has significantly expanded its investment and spending on
terrorist and militia groups. Gen. Joseph Votel, who is in charge of US
Central Command, recently told lawmakers on the House Armed Services
Committee that Iran has made “an enhanced investment in their proxies and
partners.”
There are several factors behind the Iranian regime’s increased capability
for financing terrorist and militia groups across the Middle East in the
last few years, but the key issue is the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
(JCPOA), known as the Iran nuclear deal.
When the multiple rounds of United Nations sanctions were in place against
the Iranian regime, Tehran was still supporting militias and terrorist
groups but at a much slower pace. For example, it took the Iranian regime
decades to empower Al-Qaeda to carry out attacks, or to train and create a
proxy in Lebanon. But, since the nuclear agreement was reached in 2015,
Iran-backed groups have proliferated, are much more empowered and have
become major players across the region.
In Iraq, the Iranian regime currently supports at least 40 militia groups
under the banner of the Popular Mobilization Forces. Some of these militias
are known for committing war crimes, serious violations of international
laws, and egregious crimes against humanity. After the nuclear deal, the
Iranian leaders have even pushed and succeeded at making the Iraqi
government officially recognize these militias and incorporate them into its
political and security establishment.
And consider another proxy of Iran, the Houthis. It was after the JCPOA that
Iran significantly increased its financial and military assistance to the
militia. And it was after the nuclear agreement that the Houthis became
empowered and emboldened to such a level that they became capable of
destabilizing the country on such a large scale, as well as involving the
nation in a bloody war.
Since the JCPOA was signed in 2015, Tehran-backed militias have
proliferated, are much more empowered and have become major players across
the region.
Since the JCPOA, Tehran’s increasing military, intelligence, advisory and
economic assistance to Bashar Assad’s regime has also fundamentally
strengthened the hold on power of the Syrian regime.
One major byproduct of the nuclear agreement is an economic boost, as Tehran
is allowed to reap profits from its increased integration in international
markets. Iran’s oil revenues have more than doubled in the last three years,
and the trade between the regime’s state-owned firms and European countries
has brought Tehran rewards worth billions of dollars.
It is also worth noting that the latest protests in Iran were clear evidence
of the fact these increased revenues have not been distributed among the
Iranian people. Instead, the budgets for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps, the Quds Force, which is in charge of extraterritorial operations,
and their affiliated groups have increased significantly. The IRGC is
considered the godfather of many militias and terrorist groups in the region
and it was after the nuclear deal that President Hassan Rouhani increased
its budget by at least 145 percent.
Another byproduct of the nuclear deal that is helping Tehran increase its
support for militias and terrorist groups is the issue of global legitimacy.
Enhanced diplomatic ties with the EU, rising trade and business deals, and
the JCPOA have brought Tehran out of isolation and considerably enhanced its
legitimacy in the international arena.
Global legitimacy is crucial due to the fact that it is providing the
Iranian regime with some kind of impunity in violating international laws.
Global powers will be less likely to hold the Iranian regime accountable and
responsible when it enjoys enhanced legitimacy. This legitimacy has
facilitated Tehran’s logistical, military and illegal connections with
terrorist groups.
In conclusion, the Iranian regime has increased its support and spending on
terrorist militia groups across the region to an unprecedented level. The
goals that the Iranian regime wished to accomplish over decades seem to have
been achieved in the few years since the nuclear agreement. Thanks to the
nuclear deal, Iran is continuing to pursue its regional hegemonic ambitions
and achieve its objectives, but at a much faster pace.
*Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian-American political
scientist. He is a leading expert on Iran and US foreign policy, a
businessman and president of the International American Council. He serves
on the boards of the Harvard International Review, the Harvard International
Relations Council and the US-Middle East Chamber for Commerce and Business.
Twitter: @Dr_Rafizadeh