English LCCC Newsbulletin For
Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For December 15/2020
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
The Bulletin's Link on the
lccc Site
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/aaaanewsfor2021/english.december15.21.htm
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Bible Quotations For today
You know me, and you know
where I am from. I have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and
you do not know him
Saint John 07/25-30: “Now some of the people of Jerusalem
were saying, ‘Is not this the man whom they are trying to kill? And here he is,
speaking openly, but they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities
really know that this is the Messiah? Yet we know where this man is from; but
when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.’Then Jesus cried out
as he was teaching in the temple, ‘You know me, and you know where I am from. I
have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know
him. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.’Then they tried to
arrest him, but no one laid hands on him, because his hour had not yet come.
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials
published on December 14-15/2021
The life and journey of Estephan Nehme/Robert Cusack /Special to The
Daily Star
Duquesne's Visit Seen as Serious French Endeavor to 'Rescue' Lebanon
Aoun Urges for Cabinet Session 'Even if It Gets Boycotted'
Report: Bitar Focusing on Owners, Buyers of Ammonium Nitrate Shipment
UNIFIL Head Chairs Tripartite Meeting over Blue Line Challenges, Opportunities
Collard, Mawlawi Visit UK-Funded Northern Command and Control Center in Tripoli
Grillo: French-Saudi Aid Won't be Through Lebanese State
Hamas Accuses Rival Fatah of Deadly Shooting in Lebanon Camp
Protesters Block Roads as Lira Continues Its Fall
President Aoun: Obstruction cannot be maintained, because there are matters that
need to be decided upon
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published on
December 14-15/2021
Iran Accuses Western Parties to 2015 Nuclear Deal of ‘Blame Game’
Iranian Delegation Puts New Obstacle to Reviving Nuclear Agreement
Iran Losing ‘Precious Time’ With Nuclear Stance: European Diplomats
U.S. says it is too soon to say if Iran has returned to nuclear talks with a
more constructive approach
Iran nuclear chief rejects IAEA demand to access Karaj site, says beyond
safeguards
Israel demands speedier delivery of refueling planes from US
Iran accuses Western powers of 'blame game' over 2015 nuclear deal
Israeli Leader Returning Home from UAE 'Very Optimistic'
Israeli Official Says Syria Must Not Have Chemical Weapons
Cairo Says Cooperation Is Crucial to Address Cross-Border Corruption
Arab Coalition Strikes Kill 140 Houthi Militants
Tunisia Opposition Condemns Extension of Parliament Freeze
Ukrainian Defense Minister: Our Troop Buildup is Defensive
Canada/Minister Joly and Minister Sajjan conclude G7 Foreign and Development
Ministers’ Meeting
Canada/Readout: Minister Joly meets with South Korea’s Minister of Foreign
Affairs
Titles For The Latest The Latest LCCC
English analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on
December 14-15/2021
Biden Administration Limits Itself to Symbolic Sanctions on Syria/David
Adesnik/Policy Brief/December 14/ 2021
Gulf Arab Summit Could Be Overshadowed by Israel-UAE Meeting/Simon Henderson,
Elana DeLozier/The washington Institute/December 14/ 2021
Iran’s Ballistic Missile Arsenal Is Still Growing in Size, Reach, and Accuracy/Farzin
Nadimi/The washington Institute/December 14/ 2021
Poverty, Economic Turmoil Shaking Erdoğan's Throne/Burak Bekdil/Gatestone
Institute./December 14, 2021
World Powers need to see Iran as more than a nuclear file - opinion/Danny
(Dennis) Citrinowicz and Jason M. Brodsky/Jerusalem Post/December 14/ 2021
Biden team should be calling Iran’s bluff in Vienna/Abraham Cooper and Johnnie
Moore//Arab News/December 14/ 2021
Rift between Palestinian and other Arab activists must be healed/Nadim
Shehadi/Arab News/December 14/ 2021
Biden team should be calling Iran’s bluff in Vienna/Abraham Cooper and Johnnie
Moore//Arab News/December 14/ 2021
The Latest English LCCC Lebanese &
Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on December 14-15/2021
The life and journey of Estephan Nehme
Robert Cusack /Special to The Daily Star
Monday, June 28, 2010
BEIRUT: Located 950 meters above sea level in a wooded area rich in groundwater
and natural sunlight, the mountain village of Lehfed (meaning “The flat land” in
Aramaic) would appear to the casual visitor beautiful if not dissimilar to its
surrounding neighbors.
Occupied in succession by the Phoenicians and Byzantines, Lehfed was then
inhabited by Syriac and Maronite Christians. Its calm and tranquil environment
combined with its hidden location was felt by many Christians to be an ideal
location in which one could lead a life of devout existence.
It was in this village that Youssef Nehme, recently beatified by the Catholic
Church, was born on March 8, 1889, to his Christian parents Estephanos Bou
Haykal Nehme and Christina Badawi Hanna Khaled.
He was the youngest son of six children and according to sources was apparently
loved and pampered by all; in short, and for want of better information, it
could be said that he had an uncharacteristically happy and loving childhood.
As a child, Nehme preferred solitude and prayer to gatherings and parties and it
would appear that from a young age that he would meditate and pray in silence in
the woods surrounding his home.
It was at this age that Nehme adopted his life’s prayer – the reminder “God can
see me,” that remains his most famous mantra. It is said that later in his life
Nehme intensified this prayer through imagining that God was watching him like a
foreman and would work and live at all times accordingly.
Although from an agricultural background, Nehme learned to read and write at the
village school and in the Maronite school “Our Lady of Grace” in the town of
Sakii Rishmaya nearby.
Following the death of his father in 1903, Nehme pertained to becoming a novice
monk at the Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justine in Kfifane nearby at the age
of 16 in the year 1905.
It was at this time that Youssef Nehme adopted the name of “Estephanos” after
his father’s name and the name of his village’s patron saint.
Following two years in the Novitiate, Nehme adopted the cassock and became a
monk after taking his vows on August 23, 1907.
He then became an associate brother, where he worked as a carpenter and in
construction as well as with agriculture in the Monastery’s fields.
Nehme then spent the rest of his life working in silence in the Lebanese
Maronite Order as the head of the gardens and fields in the monasteries in which
he lived.
According to his biographers at “Our Lady of Good Help,” Nehme changed
monasteries on occasion – he lived firstly at the monastery of “Our Lady” in
Mayfouk for 12 years, before spending 10 years at the “Monastery of Notre Dame
des Secours” in Jbeil and 10 months in“Saint Antonios” in Hoob.
He also served at “Saint Challita” monastery in Kattara and “Saint Maroun” in
Aanaya.
It is said that he braved through the harsh realities that presented themselves
during World War I in Lebanon, preferring instead to reflect inward on the pains
of Christ and upon thoughts of the divine. It is felt by some that this is a
just summary of his life’s philosophy and mission.
Having suffered from extreme sunstroke and exhaustion caused by his monastic
lifestyle, Nehme suffered a severe fever that eventually lead to an apoplexy and
his untimely death at the age of only 49.
Following his death, Reverend Father Antonios Nehme, superior of Kfifane
monastery wrote in his epitaph: “He left the perishable life on Tuesday at 7 pm
on the 30 of August, Brother Estephan Nehme the Lehfedian. He was a brother who
worked diligently and zealously for the benefit of the monastery benefit. He was
of strong built, good health, peaceful, far from hostilities, modest,
knowledgeable in handwork, reserving his duties and attached to his vows,
accomplishing his requirements the best way.”
Duquesne's Visit Seen as Serious French Endeavor to
'Rescue' Lebanon
Naharnet/December 14/ 2021
French Presidential Envoy Pierre Duquesne’s visit to Lebanon is a serious French
endeavor to support Lebanon, diplomatic sources said. The sources told al-Joumhouria
newspaper, in remarks published Tuesday, that Duquesne’s visit “is not
exploratory,” but rather shows a French tangible willingness to “revive
Lebanon’s chances to overcome its crisis.” France has noticed “positive
developments in the negotiations between Lebanon and the IMF,” the French envoy
said Monday, adding that “an agreement with the IMF might open the door to
dialogue over the CEDRE Conference projects.”
Aoun Urges for Cabinet Session 'Even if It Gets Boycotted'
Naharnet/December 14/ 2021
President Michel Aoun said Tuesday that he “supports calling for a Cabinet
session, even if it gets boycotted.”“The (government’s) paralysis cannot
persist,” Aoun said in a meeting with the editors’ syndicate. “There are matters
that need to be addressed.” Aoun affirmed that “there is a full understanding
with Prime Minister Najib Miqati.” Concerning Hizbullah, he said that “some
things must be said between friends.” He added that the interlocutors in Lebanon
have been engaging in vain discussions for 30 years. “It is time to change these
interlocutors even if I am one of them.” “The elections will take place,” the
president said, noting that “there will be an agreement on holding the elections
in May.”On another note, Aoun said that “no one can touch the treasury except
those who govern and protect it.”“We have never touched the public money,” he
added.
Report: Bitar Focusing on Owners, Buyers of Ammonium
Nitrate Shipment
Naharnet/December 14/ 2021
Beirut port blast investigator Judge Tarek Bitar does not seem to be in a hurry
to set dates for the interrogation of the politicians who are accused in the
case, seeing as he has dedicated his work this week to hearing testimonies of
civilian witnesses, a media report said. The investigative judge will complete
some measures before scheduling interrogation session for the politicians –
ex-PM Hassan Diab and MPs Ghazi Zoaiter, Ali Hassan Khalil and Nouhad al-Mashnouq
– as well as former military and security leaders,” informed sources told
Kuwait’s al-Anbaa newspaper in remarks published Tuesday.
“This investigation in this period is focusing on the foreign part, in terms of
reinforcing the information related to the ammonium nitrate shipment, its owners
and the companies involved in its purchase. He will also follow up on the writs
that were sent to countries that have to do with the file,” the sources added.
A judicial source meanwhile said that “there is no deadline for the end of the
investigation, nor for the issuance of the indictment in this file, amid the
obstruction that the probe is facing and the recusal lawsuits that are being
filed against Judge Bitar, which force the suspension of the investigation
pending rulings on them.”
UNIFIL Head Chairs Tripartite Meeting over Blue Line
Challenges, Opportunities
Naharnet/December 14/ 2021
UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col has
chaired a Tripartite meeting with senior Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Israeli
army officers in Ras Al Naqoura. "In his remarks, Major General Del Col
reflected on developments in UNIFIL’s area of operations over the past twelve
months, including serious incidents along the Blue Line, air space violations
and breaches of the cessation of hostilities," UNIFIL said in a press release.
“These incidents clearly demonstrate how vulnerable the Blue Line is to regional
dynamics,” said Major General Del Col. “We must do all within our means to
shield the Blue Line from these dynamics and ensure our actions are focused on
maintaining the cessation of hostilities and stability.” Updating the parties on
Security Council consultations on the latest Secretary-General’s report on the
implementation of resolution 1701, he noted that "the Security Council continues
to support UNIFIL through the implementation of resolution 1701."Noting a number
of incidents with the potential for escalation, he urged the parties to "avoid
provocative acts, maintain open channels of communication with UNIFIL, engage
with the Mission to find mutually beneficial arrangements to prevent increasing
tension and avail of the mission’s liaison and coordination mechanisms." “I call
on the parties to engage in Blue Line talks to address and solve contentious
Blue Line points as urged by the Security Council,” said the UNIFIL chief.
“Let’s build on the momentum created through the Blue Line marking process and
complete those markers you have previously agreed on.”
Major General Del Col expressed his thanks for "the extension of the arrangement
supporting olive growers whose orchards are bisected by the Blue Line to harvest
their crops." “I am hopeful that the extension of the Blida arrangement can be
built on for other contentious issues along the Blue Line,” Major General Del
Col stated. Since the end of the 2006 war in south Lebanon, UNIFIL has chaired
regular Tripartite meetings with the LAF and the Israeli army. "This has proven
to be essential to conflict management and confidence-building. Through its
liaison and coordination mechanisms, UNIFIL remains the only forum through which
Lebanese and Israeli armies officially meet,” the press release said.
Collard, Mawlawi Visit UK-Funded Northern Command and Control Center in Tripoli
Naharnet/December 14/ 2021
British Ambassador to Lebanon Ian Collard and Minister of Interior Bassam al-Mawlawi
have held a joint visit to the newly established Northern Command and Control
Center (NLCCC), funded by the UK’s Conflict, Security and Stability Fund.
"As part of our continuing support to the Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF),
and within the framework of the joint MOU signed in April 2021, British
Ambassador to Lebanon Ian Collard and Minister of Interior Judge Bassam al-Mawlawi
held a joint visit to the newly established Northern Command and Control Center
(NLCCC), accompanied by General Marwan Sleilati, representing ISF Director
General Imad Otyman, and representatives from across security institutions," the
UK embassy said in a press release.
"This is Ambassador Collard’s second visit to the NLCCC where he received an
update on the excellent work of the center, which enables the ISF to better
prevent and combat crime, handle threats, and provide safety and security for
the community," the embassy stated. Head of the ISF North Lebanon Region,
Colonel Darwish, briefed on the latest security situation in the north and the
ongoing challenges facing the ISF. Through its security program, the UK fully
supports the mission of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) "to strengthen the
resilience of the ISF to ensure they can deliver internal security, community
policing, and services to all communities in Lebanon, based on respect for human
rights, accountability and professionalism. In April 2021, the UK and MoI signed
a joint MOU that agreed continuing co-operation with the ISF, under the British
Policing Support Program (worth £18.5m between 2019-2022)," the embassy said.
For his part, Ambassador Collard said that "Lebanon is facing one of its
toughest chapters in recent history. The staggering economic crisis, the
COVID-19 pandemic, and a political impasse has put significant pressure on
Lebanon’s institutions, including the Internal Security Forces. We understand
the challenges facing the men and women of the police on a daily basis and we
are determined to offer them our support.""The visit to the Northern Command and
Control Center demonstrates our ongoing support to Lebanon and our long-term
relationship with the Ministry of Interior. Though circumstances are difficult,
we continue to support Minister Mawlawi and General Othman’s determination to
build a modern police force based on state of the art training, respect for
human rights, and community focused policing," Collard added.
Grillo: French-Saudi Aid Won't be Through Lebanese State
Naharnet/December 14/ 2021
The promised French-Saudi aid for Lebanon will not be delivered through Lebanese
state institutions, French Ambassador to Lebanon Anne Grillo said in an
interview overnight. “This is a condition that has been made by the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia,” Grillo added. She noted that the promises that French President
Emmanuel Macron received from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his
trip to the kingdom “must be met halfway by the Lebanese authorities, which must
do its part of the job.”“Lebanon must first implement the needed structural
reforms to halt the economic and financial collapse and secondly address the
security issues, which means that this country should be able to control its
borders and smuggling, especially drug trafficking,” Grillo added. “Based on
Lebanon’s commitment to the conditions, France and KSA can together consider
supporting a number of projects to assist the people in a direct manner, and to
take part in supporting this country in general,” the ambassador went on to say.
Separately, Grillo stressed that Paris’ stance “has always been clear and firm
as to Hizbullah’s arms, which is that the legitimate monopolization of the use
of force must belong to the state and its army.”
Hamas Accuses Rival Fatah of Deadly Shooting in Lebanon
Camp
Associated Press/December 14/ 2021
Hamas officials buried three of their members Tuesday who were killed by gunfire
in a tense Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon days earlier. The
militant group accused members of a rival faction of the deadly shooting. Ayman
Shanaa, an official with the militant group, told mourners that Fatah militia
members were behind the shootings, which he called a "heinous and cowardly
crime."There are tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees and their descendants
in Lebanon, most living in refugee camps. Fatah is the political faction of
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas rules the Gaza Strip. The deadly
violence took place at a Hamas-organized funeral Sunday in the Burj Shamali
camp. Shanaa called it "a premeditated crime" that aims to undermine security
and stability in the refugee camps in Lebanon. The funeral was held in the
southern city of Sidon and attended by several thousand people, many of whom
raised the green Hamas flag. Shanaa called for handing the perpetrators "known
to all" to the Lebanese security agencies. Lebanese security forces don't
operate inside about 12 Palestinian refugee camps scattered around the
Mediterranean country, where security is in the hands of Palestinian factions
who often compete for clout. The violence started after a series of massive
explosions in Burj Shamali late Friday, which Lebanese officials said ignited in
an ammunition depot. Hamas, which is powerful in the camp, denied it was a
weapons depot and said the explosions started with an electrical short-circuit
in a storage area for oxygen bottles. One Hamas member was killed in the
explosions. During his funeral on Sunday, gunfire erupted leaving three people
dead and several injured. The source of the shooting was not clear at the time
and Palestinian officials had different accounts of what happened. Shanaa's
comments Tuesday were the most direct public accusation against Fatah, which had
no immediate comment. Tensions between Palestinian factions in Lebanon often
turn into violence but are usually quickly contained within the overcrowded
camps.
Protesters Block Roads as Lira Continues Its Fall
Associated Press/December 14/ 2021
Protestors blocked roads Tuesday in Beddawi, Tripoli with trucks to object
against an unprecedented LBP collapse, worsening inflation and people’s despair.
Later in the day, demonstrators blocked the Khalde highway that links Beirut to
the South and the vital Corniche al-Mazraa road in the capital. The Lebanese
pound reached 28,000 to the dollar on the black market on Tuesday, hitting a new
low in its downward trajectory since October 2019 as the Lebanese economy went
into a tailspin. The economic collapse has been described as one of the worst in
the world in over 150 years. Inflation and prices of basic goods have
skyrocketed in Lebanon, which imports more than 80% of its basic goods.
Shortages of basic supplies, including fuel and medicine, and restrictions on
bank withdrawals and transfers, particularly in foreign currency, have increased
the desperation of the Lebanese in the once middle-class country. Poverty has
exponentially increased while the political class, blamed for years of
corruption and mismanagement, has failed to offer drastic solutions to the
crisis. Negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for a recovery plan
have been bogged down in political disagreements and blame trading. The latest
fall in the currency exchange rate follows a central bank directive last week
that changed the rate used when depositors make withdrawals from existing dollar
accounts to 8,000 pounds to the dollar, up from the previous 3,900 to the
dollar. The directive allowed people to recover money they have not been able to
access because of informal capital controls introduced by the banks at the
outset of the crisis. But experts said it put more pressure on the national
currency because the central bank will print more pounds, further decreasing
their value and purchasing power.
President Aoun: Obstruction cannot be maintained, because there are matters that
need to be decided upon
NNA/December 14/2021
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/104771/%d9%81%d9%8a%d8%af%d9%8a%d9%88-%d9%85%d9%86-%d8%aa%d9%84%d9%81%d8%b2%d9%8a%d9%88%d9%86-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ac%d8%af%d9%8a%d8%af-%d9%87%d8%b0%d8%a7-%d9%85%d8%a7-%d9%82%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%87-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b1/
President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, asserted that he supports the
call for a cabinet session, “Even if it was boycotted”.
“We are faced with the necessity of choosing between politics and the judiciary,
so who will prevail? Representative or judicial?” the President said stressing
that it is not possible to keep the government suspended, “As there are matters
that need to be decided upon, including, for example, approving the budget to
facilitate electricity issues and other topics”.
President Aoun also clarified that there is a great deal of understanding with
Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and that the existence of a difference of opinion
sometimes does not mean disagreement and should not be called this way.
As for the relationship with Hezbollah, President Aoun stated that “There are
things that must be said between friends, and we advocate what the constitution
says, because not respecting it means chaos will prevail”.
Moreover, the President wondered whether the delivery of funds directly to the
people without going through the state is to finance the parliamentary elections
and to deliver those who have no experience to the parliamentary symposium.
President Aoun also pointed out that he had called for a year and a half ago for
a forensic audit, to find out the path of public money, “Who stole it or
squandered it, or who made a terrible mistake in managing it”, noting that he
was comfortable that society had reached maturity that encourages him to move
forward with reform. “But today I no longer hear any voice calling for reform,
but I hear people attacking me and accusing me of restoring the presidential
system” the President said. After these events, the President hoped for the end
of a specific era that is more than 30 years old and needs to be changed,
stressing on the other hand that the elections will take place. “The thing that
I changed is the date of their holding from March 27 to May 8 or 15, and we will
agree on that”.
In addition, President Aoun indicated that it has been 30 years since the
interlocutors have been negotiating without reaching a conclusion.
“Interlocutors must be changed, even if I am among them” President Aoun
stressed.
President Aoun’s stances came during his meeting with a delegation of the
Syndicate of Editors headed by Joseph Al-Kassifi and members: Ghassan Rifi
(Deputy Captain), Georges Chahine, Ali Youssef, Wassef Awada, Salah Taqi Al-Din,
George Bakassini, Walid Abboud, Scarlett Haddad, Youmna Al Shukr Ghorayeb and
Hanadi Al Samra.
Qossaifi Speech:
At the beginning of the meeting, Qussaifi gave the following speech:
“We are visiting you today, in the first official activity after our election in
a democratic process, which was dominated by high-end competition, and was
characterized by a turnout of more than 73 %. This confirms that Lebanon is
still a country of freedom and democracy, no matter how severe the crises, and
the coming disasters followed in a thousand and one costumes.
We hope that what happened in our union constitutes an incentive for officials
and the Lebanese to achieve the entitlement of the upcoming parliamentary
elections with the same transparency, in order to achieve the desired change in
a sporting spirit away from the approach of confrontation and challenge that
Lebanon can no longer bear. Mr. President, we know that you hold burning coal in
your fingers, and you walk the path of Calvary, and no matter how you turn, you
will find bloody thorns, and you are standing in the crosshairs of arrows,
amidst the siege of fire that almost devours everything.
May God help you in the face of all challenges, and provide you with the virtue
of patience and abundant health. As for now, there is no need for us to depict
the state of the Lebanese people in light of this suffocating crisis. As we
bring to you the suffering of journalists and media professionals, who are
facing the collapse of their professional sector with concern and confusion, and
are hoping for a serious national plan to modernize and diversify it so that it
becomes a productive energy that opens horizons for its workers and graduates,
hoping for the attention it deserves, we see that the time has come, for the
political forces to drop their differences and converge to achieve one goal,
which is to save the country, because its downfall will not exclude anyone, but
will be on top of them all.
Is it conceivable that the Lebanese money is looted, some deposits are smuggled
abroad, and their national currency collapses, without holding those responsible
to account? Could the authority of the Banque du Liban and the banks be stronger
than the authority of the state, while it is incapable of throwing a flower in
charge of this sector? Is it permissible for the Lebanese to fall prey to
monopolies and monopolists, and be unable to obtain their daily bread, when they
were nothing but dear and generous?
We will not continue to talk about such and such and such, issues that you know
well. Mr. President, sorry if I’m late, I don’t sprinkle salt on the wound. It
is the truth. I know the sadness and bitterness you feel, but the question
remains: Is what is happening today heralds the fall of the philosophy on which
the state of Greater Lebanon was founded, and that the pioneering function of
our country in this region has been exhausted.
Mr. President, thank you for receiving us, and may God fortify you with the
virtue of perseverance in the midst of this earthquake that affects the roots of
our country and its origins”.
President Aoun:
The President welcomed the delegation, and congratulated its members on their
election. “You have a great responsibility, because it is up to you to ensure
the correct formation of public opinion, and if your intentions are sincere, you
will contribute to improving the general situation. We hope that all intentions
will be sincere, because sometimes if we are not aware of the nation’s needs, we
convey the truth from one side to the other, instead of highlighting it for what
it is” President Aoun said.
“We have tried to rebuild Lebanon, and we have done so. It first stipulated the
ratification of the two oil contracts, as the largest offers were received from
the world from about 56 international companies, including 3 of the largest
companies in the world, and from the three largest companies also in the United
States of America. But the ratification has been delayed since 2013, and I
insisted that the ratification take place in the first session of the Council of
Ministers. The same thing happened with regard to gas, which political reasons
prevented its completion, and Total left without disclosing so far the reason,
after it had given us good news that gas was found, saying only that the size is
not commercial” President Aoun added.
Crises Accumulation:
“The accumulation of crises on us was very large, adding to that the presence of
terrorists on our land, whether in Akkar or in the Eastern chain. These
terrorists were carrying out some acts of invasion on a number of villages, so
we liberated our people from terrorism and from the sleeper cells that were
planting terrorist concepts in the society, from bombings to killings, security
improved, and tourism flourished” President Aoun said.
“We also put in place an election law that contributed to maintaining a balance
between sects and within the sect, as the majority and the minority became
represented as well. We passed a number of laws, the last of which was a law
that includes 47 reform articles in the year 2019. When we were in Beiteddine,
officials from all parties contributed to formulating it. Basically, we put
McKinsey’s plan to advance the economy for 5 years. Of course, there were
accumulated matters that confronted us, including that the treasury was almost
empty, with about 158 billion in it. Debts, including about 60 billion owed by
the Central Bank, we do not know where it disappeared, is it in the loans given
to the state? We also re-drew the plan to promote the electricity that we had
previously presented since 2010. But we faced many stumbling blocks from within,
among which was government composition. We spent about 40% of the presidential
term in this framework” the President continued.
“We have also restored financial order after the lapse of 12 years without a
budget, and we have restored life to the diplomatic corps that was in chaos, and
to the administration, down to the judicial formations. In short, we have done
many other things that we are not currently going to review, but will be
revealed to all. But on the other hand, the accumulation of problems was great,
there was no money and the Syrian borders were closed and cut us off from our
vital region in the Arab countries, in addition to the presence of about one
million and 850 thousand displaced Syrians on our land, as the international
census of them stopped after the year 2015. And let us not forget the movements
and strikes known as the “revolution” decimated the economy, so roads were
closed, non-governmental organizations were established, money began to reach
them, and we hear foreign statements about refusing to deliver aid through the
government, but to the people directly, through these organizations. Are the
funds are to finance the parliamentary elections and to bring those who have no
experience to the parliamentary symposium” the President added.
In addition, President Aoun stressed the need for accountability, “For a year
and a half I have been calling for a forensic audit, and the contract and the
obstacles in front of it have been dismantled. They put the custodian of giving
documents to the investigation committee, who is primarily responsible for money
and waste, and so far he has not handed over the documents. For a year and a
half, knot after knot has emerged in the face of scrutiny day after day. The
university that we were building, about corruption and the necessity of
combating it, and transforming the economy into a product instead of a rent. The
applause was louder from the audience, including the presidents of the
parliament and the government, representatives, ministers and clerics. I no
longer hear any voice calling for reform, but I hear those who attack me. In
order to preserve public freedoms, I did not sue anyone, even though the attacks
on me hurt me, as I am the only one who swears an oath to preserve the
constitution and the laws, and I am fulfilling my duties in that”.
“Bringing back the presidential system? Rather, I applied articles 52 (on
international treaties) and 53 in the constitution regarding the formation of
the government, which were not applied in the past, and when I applied them, I
became accused of restoring the presidential system. I also applied Article 57
of the constitution, which stipulates the return of laws according to certain
conditions, and I rejected the amendments law on the election law, which
contradicts the calculations of the half plus one. This law was later challenged
before the Constitutional Council, and here I am hearing, without knowing who
the leaker was, that the ruling will be issued in favor of the appellant, but it
will be mentioned that the government did not take the necessary measures so
that the spreaders could vote for constituencies abroad. As long as the
government can’t, why not postpone the vote? We have given them the right to be
represented in the council, to have their voice heard in the parliamentary
symposium and to help Lebanon” President Aoun stated.
“We have many projects, from the construction of the largest tourist port in
Jounieh on the eastern Mediterranean, to the expansion of the highway extending
from Nahr al-Kalb to Tabarja, so that all the people of the north, even Akkar,
can benefit from it, and it is a project not only for Kesrouan. All the
calamities, from the Corona pandemic to the port explosion, accelerated together
at a time when there was no money” President Aoun said.
Auditing and Accounting
The President added “Neither I nor you have extended our hands to public money,
and no one can extend his hand to the treasury except those who govern it and
those who protect it. And here we are waiting for the government’s work, and it
has confidence, and if it does not convene, it is not able to spend the money,
who is responsible? I cannot spend the money exceptionally as long as the
government is active and existing, but if it is within the field of conducting
business.
We conducted an investigation into the money that was previously stolen and it
was found that there were 28 billion over the 12 years that did not witness a
budget setting, as I had called in previous interviews I conducted in the
nineties, in order to preserve the money of depositors in banks, because it is
their right”.Regarding the possibility of appointing a new information minister
and the government’s return to the meeting, President Aoun clarified that the
Prime Minister has not yet put forward any name for the media portfolio, and “I
support the call for a cabinet session even if it was boycotted. We are faced
with the necessity of choosing between politics and the judiciary. Who will
prevail? representative or judicial? In Lebanon there are 3 separate
authorities: executive, legislative and judicial, and no authority can interfere
in the work of the other. With the flaw in the principle of separation of
powers, I called from the first day to respect the constitution, and to address
judicial matters within its authority. There are those who did not accept the
words of the judiciary in this area”.
Moreover, President Aoun recalled what happened to him during his exile to
France and accusing him of stealing money, stressing that he was only satisfied
with the acquittal issued by the judiciary, because innocence according to the
settlement loses its meaning, and the innocent should not be afraid of the
judiciary, especially in light of the close supervision.
“Even if the judge does not rule according to his conscience – God forbid – he
cannot pass an unjust ruling. It is not possible to keep the government idle.
There are matters that need to be decided upon, such as approving the budget to
facilitate electricity issues and other issues” President Aoun pointed out.
The relationship with the Lebanese parties and the dialogue:
President Aoun was asked about reports of a dispute between the Presidency, the
Prime Minister, Hezbollah and the Amal movement, where he stressed that the
understanding exists largely with Premier Mikati, and that the existence of a
difference of opinion sometimes does not mean disagreement and should not be
called this way, “Because after that there is a discussion and things end in
agreement, and this is healthy. I should not agree with everything he says, just
as he should not agree with everything I say”.
As for the relationship with Hezbollah, “There are things that must be said
between friends, and we advocate what the constitution says, because not
respecting it means chaos will prevail”. President Aoun left the answer on the
relationship with the “Amal” movement to the members of the delegation.
Regarding his saying that he would accept if Parliament decided to extend him as
President of the Republic, as it seemed like a suggestion that elections would
not be held, President Aoun reiterated the clarification that this answer “Came
in the context of my saying that there is an impossibility for a vacancy to
occur, and I had said that I would leave at the end of my term of office. And I
say it now to you as well, so the interlocutor asked me about the hypothesis
that no parliamentary elections would take place, I replied: There is an
existing government, and he asked again: And if the government resigns? I said
it and I will repeat it before you.”
In response to a question about the absence of an identity for the Lebanese
authority, but rather different sectarian arrangements, President Aoun clarified
that the current authority is consensual with three presidents, and therefore it
is difficult to rule, even the government is exposed to this matter, which
should not happen because it has one head, and the sectarian system is based on
consensus. Therefore, we hope that after these events, the situation will
change. I consider it the end of a certain era that is over 30 years old and
needs change. I will not be able to achieve this in the remaining year of my
term, but I announce it”. The President pointed out that foreign countries are
talking for the first time about sending money and aid to the people directly,
without anyone commenting on the issue. “Is it required to fund revolutions or
elections? This reduces the recognition of the state”.
In response to a question about the extent of his confidence that the elections
will take place in light of the current atmosphere in the country, and what is
said that he will not agree to the opening of an extraordinary session of the
House of Representatives, the President replied: “This is what was published in
the newspapers, and I have read it. I would need a special office. The elections
will take place, and the thing that I changed is the date of holding them from
March 27 to May 8 or 15, and we will agree on that”.
Asked about the existence of international support for Lebanon and the fear that
it will fade away as a result of the differences and the reason for not calling
to a dialogue table or initiative, President Aoun stressed that it has been 30
years since the interlocutors have negotiated without reaching a result. “The
interlocutors must be changed, even if I am one of them”. As for the fear of
losing international aid, “All institutions ask us for a forensic audit in order
to provide us with financial aid, but we do not build the state that inspires
confidence, meaning that we do not help ourselves so that others can help us”.
The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published on
December 14-15/2021
Iran Accuses Western Parties to 2015 Nuclear Deal of
‘Blame Game’
Asharq Al-Awsat/Tuesday, 14 December, 2021
Iran on Tuesday accused Western parties to its 2015 nuclear deal of "persisting
in their blame game", a day after European diplomats said the accord would soon
be an empty shell, without progress. "Some actors persist in their blame game
habit, instead of real diplomacy. We proposed our ideas early, and worked
constructively and flexibly to narrow gaps," Iran's top negotiator, Ali Bagheri
Kani, said on Twitter, AFP reported. "Diplomacy is a two-way street. If there's
real will to remedy the culprit's wrongdoing, the way for a quick, good deal
will be paved." On Monday, British, French and German diplomats said major
powers and Iran had yet to get down to business at talks on rescuing the nuclear
deal, which will very soon become "an empty shell" without progress.
Iranian Delegation Puts New Obstacle to Reviving Nuclear Agreement
Vienna - Raghida Bahnam/Asharq Al-Awsat/Tuesday, 14 December, 2021
New obstacles emerged regarding the nuclear talks with Iran in Vienna after the
Iranian delegation demanded the lifting of an additional list of US sanctions.
Media sources close to the Iranian negotiating team, headed by Ali Bagheri Kani,
said that the new condition was linked to the sanctions imposed by the United
States on Iran on the eve of the resumption of nuclear talks. The Iranian
delegation purportedly told the negotiators that these sanctions “could have
adverse effects and further complicate the ongoing talks.” Last Wednesday, the
US Treasury issued new sanctions pertaining to nine individuals and four
entities, for their involvement in widespread human rights violations. Among
those were the commander of the IRGC Basij forces, Gholamreza Soleimani. The
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman responded by saying that adding “sanctions
will not create a stronger effect, and it indicates anything except seriousness
and good intentions.” Meanwhile, Britain has threatened to impose new sanctions
on Iran if negotiations falter, the Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday. A day
later, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss warned: “This is the last chance for
Iran to engage in negotiations seriously.”According to the British newspaper,
London is preparing a set of sanctions options that it can re-impose on Iran,
including economic sanctions that were in place before the nuclear agreement. At
the end of the first part of the seventh round, the Iranian delegation submitted
two additional drafts that it requested to be included in the existing draft.
The Iranian proposal surprised Western countries because it rejects most of what
was agreed upon in previous rounds with the former Iranian delegation headed by
Abbas Araghchi. Western officials considered that the two new drafts could not
constitute a basis for completing the negotiations, but they agreed to discuss
them in depth. The head of the Russian negotiating delegation, Ambassador
Mikhail Ulyanov, wrote on Twitter that discussions were ongoing on the two
papers submitted by Iran, adding that a decision would be taken soon on whether
to “accept, amend, or reject them.”
Iran Losing ‘Precious Time’ With Nuclear Stance: European Diplomats
Asharq Al-Awsat/Tuesday, 14 December, 2021
Iran’s positions in talks over its nuclear development program are
“inconsistent” with the terms of the deal to limit it, diplomats from the
western European countries negotiating with Tehran, said on Monday. “We have had
many hours of engagement, and all delegations have pressed Iran to be
reasonable,” said the diplomats, from Britain, France and Germany. “As of this
moment, we still have not been able to get down to real negotiations,” they
added, AFP reported. “We are losing precious time dealing with new Iranian
positions inconsistent with the JCPOA or that go beyond it.”
Talks resumed on salvaging the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on
November 29. Diplomats from Iran, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia are
attending. Former US President Donald Trump pulled America out of the 2015
agreement during his presidency and US President Joe Biden wants to negotiate
their return. Iran wants Washington to lift a raft of sanctions and is asking as
well for guarantees.
U.S. says it is too soon to say if Iran has returned to
nuclear talks with a more constructive approach
Reuters/December 14/ 2021
WASHINGTON, Dec 13 (Reuters) - It is too soon to say whether Iran has returned
to nuclear talks with a more constructive approach, the U.S. State Department
said on Monday, after Iran's top nuclear negotiator said progress had been
made.State Department deputy spokeswoman Jalina Porter made the comment during a
briefing call with reporters. Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani,
said over the weekend that good progress had been made in nuclear talks with
world powers in Vienna that could quickly pave the way for serious negotiations.
Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani, said good progress had been
made in nuclear talks with world powers in Vienna that could quickly pave the
way for serious negotiations."Our path during the negotiation was successful,"
he was quoted as saying on Sunday by Lebanon's pro-Iranian Al Mayadeen TV as
saying.
Iran nuclear chief rejects IAEA demand to access Karaj
site, says beyond safeguards
Reuters/December 14, 2021
VIENNA: Iran’s nuclear chief said on Tuesday demands by the UN nuclear watchdog
IAEA for access to the Karaj workshop are beyond safeguards and unacceptable to
Tehran, the semi-official news agency ISNA reported. “Karaj ... is outside of
safeguards ... We act within the framework of safeguards and NPT (nuclear Non
Proliferation Treaty) and do not accept anything else,” the head of Iran’s
Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammad Eslami, said. “The Karaj issue is closed,
and the alleged cases and Karaj are interconnected and must be resolved
together,” he said. Tehran also accused Western parties to its 2015 nuclear deal
on Tuesday of “persisting in their blame game,” a day after European diplomats
warned the pact would soon become defunct if efforts to revive it fail. In a
pessimistic assessment of talks between Iran and major powers in Vienna,
diplomats from Britain, France and Germany warned on Monday that “time is
running out” to rescue the pact, which they said would very soon become “an
empty shell” without progress in negotiations. Iran’s top nuclear negotiator,
Ali Bagheri Kani, responded on Twitter by saying: “Some actors persist in their
blame game habit, instead of real diplomacy. We proposed our ideas early, and
worked constructively and flexibly to narrow gaps.”Referring to the United
States and its withdrawal from the nuclear pact in 2018, Kani wrote: “Diplomacy
is a two-way street. If there’s real will to remedy the culprit’s wrongdoing,
the way for a quick, good deal will be paved.”However, US Secretary of State
Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that Washington continues to pursue diplomacy
with Iran because “it remains, at this moment, the best option,” but added that
it was “actively engaging with allies and partners on alternatives.”Indirect
talks between arch-foes Iran and the United States started in April, but stopped
in June after the election of hard-line cleric Ebrahim Raisi, whose negotiating
team has returned to Vienna after five months with an uncompromising stance.In
2019, Iran started breaching nuclear restrictions under the pact in response to
the US withdrawal and decision to reimpose harsh sanctions which have devastated
Iran’s economy. During the seventh round of talks, which began on Nov. 29, Iran
abandoned any compromises it had made in the previous six, and demanded more, a
senior US official has said. With significant gaps remaining between Iran and
the United States on some key issues — such as the speed and scope of lifting
sanctions and how and when Iran will reverse its nuclear steps — chances of an
agreement seem remote.
Israel demands speedier delivery of refueling planes from
US
Arab News/December 14, 2021
LONDON: Israel has demanded that the US speed up its delivery of refueling
planes that could be crucial to launching airstrikes on Iranian nuclear
facilities. But American and Israeli officials have told The New York Times that
the aircraft are back-ordered and no delivery is expected before late 2024.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz last week urged a more rapid production of
the KC-46 tankers when he met US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and other senior
officials in Washington. Tehran’s nuclear program has improved exponentially
since former US President Donald Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in
2018, despite Israeli military and intelligence efforts to sabotage Iran’s
weapons pipeline through covert attacks on facilities. Israeli officials have
claimed that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has cleared the way for training on
aerial attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities while arguing that attempts to
renew the deal with Tehran would only lead to the regime enhancing its
capability to create a bomb. The tankers it ordered from the US in March are
central to this exercise as they are used to refuel bombers in the air, allowing
Israel to fly sorties over Iran and return home in one flight — a capability it
currently lacks. Boeing has received a $2.4 billion contract for eight of the
planes, with the first delivery scheduled for late 2024. But there are competing
demands from the US Air Force, which hopes to expand its reach in the
Indo-Pacific region as tensions rise with China. The KC-46 aircraft would hugely
improve Israel’s 50-year-old fleet of tankers, which are technically incapable
of the mission that Bennett is reportedly planning. US officials told The New
York Times that they do not believe an attack is imminent. They added that
Bennett was likely saber-rattling in an attempt to secure tougher terms in an
anticipated deal between Tehran and Western powers.
Iran accuses Western powers of 'blame game' over 2015 nuclear deal
Parisa Hafezi and John Irish/Reuters/December 14/ 2021
VIENNA, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Iran accused Western parties to its 2015 nuclear deal
on Tuesday of "persisting in their blame game", a day after European diplomats
warned the pact would soon become defunct if efforts to revive it fail.
In a pessimistic assessment of talks between Iran and major powers in Vienna,
diplomats from Britain, France and Germany warned on Monday that "time is
running out" to rescue the pact, which they said would very soon become "an
empty shell" without progress in negotiations. read more
Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani, responded on Twitter by saying:
"Some actors persist in their blame game habit, instead of real diplomacy. We
proposed our ideas early, and worked constructively and flexibly to narrow
gaps."Referring to the United States and its withdrawal from the nuclear pact in
2018, Kani wrote: "Diplomacy is a two-way street. If there's real will to remedy
the culprit's wrongdoing, the way for a quick, good deal will be paved."
However, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that Washington
continues to pursue diplomacy with Iran because "it remains, at this moment, the
best option", but added that it was "actively engaging with allies and partners
on alternatives".
The stakes are high. Failure in the negotiations would carry the risk of a new
regional war, with Israel pushing for a tough policy if diplomacy fails to rein
in Iran’s nuclear work.
Indirect talks between arch-foes Iran and the United States started in April,
but stopped in June after the election of hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi, whose
negotiating team has returned to Vienna after five months with an uncompromising
stance.
In 2019, Iran started breaching nuclear restrictions under the pact in response
to the U.S. withdrawal and decision to reimpose harsh sanctions which have
devastated Iran’s economy.
"Who violated the deal? Americans. Who should compensate for that and be
flexible? Americans of course," said a senior Iranian official.
Iran's clerical rulers believe that a tough approach, spearheaded by their
strongly anti-Western Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, can force
Washington to accept Tehran’s "maximalist demands", analysts and diplomats said.
"But it could backfire. This is a very dangerous and sensitive issue. Failure of
diplomacy will have consequences for everyone," said a diplomat in the Middle
East on condition of anonymity.
SIGNIFICANT GAPS
During the seventh round of talks, which began on Nov. 29, Iran abandoned any
compromises it had made in the previous six, and demanded more, a senior U.S.
official has said. With significant gaps remaining between Iran and the United
States on some key issues - such as the speed and scope of lifting sanctions and
how and when Iran will reverse its nuclear steps - chances of an agreement seem
remote. Iran insists on immediate removal of all sanctions in a verifiable
process. Washington has said it would remove curbs "inconsistent" with the
nuclear pact if Iran resumed compliance, implying it would leave in place others
such as those imposed under terrorism or human rights measures.
Iran also seeks guarantees that "no U.S. administration" will renege on the pact
again. But Biden cannot promise this because the nuclear deal is a non-binding
political understanding, not a legally binding treaty.
"How can we trust Americans again? What if they ditch the deal again? Therefore
the party that violated the deal should provide guarantees that it will never
happen again," said the Iranian official. "This is their problem not ours to
solve ... They can find a solution and give us guarantees."
Dramatically upping the ante, Iran has also limited access given to U.N. nuclear
watchdog inspectors under the nuclear deal, restricting their visits to declared
nuclear sites only. Though essential to reinstate the nuclear pact, the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said last month it had not had access
to re-install surveillance cameras at the TESA Karaj centrifuge-parts workshop
in Iran, which was hit by apparent sabotage in June in which one of four cameras
of the agency there was destroyed. "Our talks with the IAEA about the Karaj
complex still continue," Iran's top nuclear official Mohammad Eslami said,
according to Iranian media.
*Additional reporting by John Irish in Doha and Humeyra Pamuk in Jakarta Writing
by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Lincoln Feast, Robert Birsel and Raissa Kasolowsky
Israeli Leader Returning Home from UAE 'Very Optimistic'
Associated Press/December 14/ 2021
Israel's prime minister said he was returning home "very optimistic" from a
two-day trip to the United Arab Emirates — the first official visit to the Gulf
country by an Israeli leader since the countries established relations last
year.
Naftali Bennett's trip this week to the Gulf Arab federation comes against the
backdrop of nuclear talks between world powers and regional archrival Iran over
its nuclear program. Israel has watched with concern as Iran has pushed a hard
line against negotiators meeting in Vienna, at once demanding sanctions relief
while accelerating its nuclear program. Bennett's office said he met Monday with
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi's powerful crown prince and de
facto ruler of the Emirates for some four hours, with more than half of the time
spent in one-on-one talks.
In a joint statement, the two countries said the visit marked "another milestone
in the development of warm relations and a tremendous partnership." It said they
had discussed a number of areas of cooperation, including trade, technology, the
environment and tourism, as well as forming a joint research and development
fund. The countries already have struck up burgeoning trade ties. The statement,
however, made no mention of two critical issues — Israel's conflict with the
Palestinians and the Iranian nuclear program. In a video statement before his
departure, Bennett said he had held "meaningful, in-depth and straightforward
talks" about the region. "I'm flying back to Israel very optimistic that this
relationship can set an example of how we can make peace in the Middle East," he
said. His office also said the crown prince had accepted an invitation to visit
Israel, though a date was not immediately announced. Israel and the UAE last
year signed an deal to normalize relations that was brokered by the Trump
administration under the "Abraham Accords," a series of diplomatic agreements
with Arab countries that also included Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. Israel and
the UAE have long shared concerns about Iran's nuclear program. Iran says its
nuclear program is meant for peaceful purposes, while Israel, which considers
Iran its greatest enemy, says it will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons.
Israel has been outspoken in its criticism of the global nuclear talks with
Iran, which are aimed at restoring a 2015 deal that placed curbs on Iran's
nuclear program in exchange for relief from sanctions. The deal unraveled after
then-President Donald Trump withdrew from it in 2018, and Israel says it would
be a mistake to return to the agreement. Israel believes the deal does not have
enough safeguards in it and fears that easing sanctions will revive Iran's
flagging economy. Bennett has accused Iran of "nuclear blackmail."Bennett took
office as prime minister six months ago at the head of a coalition of eight
parties united in their opposition to longtime former leader Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israeli Official Says Syria Must Not Have Chemical
Weapons
Associated Press/December 14/ 2021
Israel's intelligence minister said Tuesday that Syria cannot be allowed to
obtain chemical weapons, after a report emerged that Israel targeted the
country's chemical weapons facilities. In an interview with Israeli Army Radio,
Elazar Stern would not directly comment on the report in the Washington Post
that said that Israel struck Syria on two occasions — once this year and once
last year — in a bid to block attempts to rebuild its chemical weapons
stockpile. But Stern, a retired military general, hinted that Israel could not
accept such weapons in the hands of its enemy to the north. "We have a neighbor
who has already proved that it doesn't hesitate to use chemical weapons even
against its own people," he said. "(Syrian President Bashar) Assad must not have
chemical weapons." Israeli officials have declined to comment on the Washington
Post report. Military affairs commentators in Israel, who often are briefed by
top defense officials, said the timing of the report was not a coincidence and
comes as negotiators are meeting with Iran in Vienna to try to revive a 2015
nuclear deal.
Iran has close ties with Syria and has sent troops to back the forces of Syrian
President Bashar Assad in his country's decade-long civil war. "It was a signal
to all of the actors, Iran and the United States, that Israel is serious about
acting against the development of non-conventional weapons by its enemies,"
wrote Yossi Yehoshua in the Yediot Ahronot daily. Israel has long opposed the
2015 nuclear deal between global powers and Iran, which granted Iran relief from
economic sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program. Instead, it has
called for an accord with even tighter safeguards on Iran's nuclear program and
addresses other Iranian military behavior, such as its missile program and
support for anti-Israel militant groups like Lebanon's Hezbollah. Israel also
supports a "credible" military threat against Iran as leverage. Israel believes
Iran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon — a charge Iran denies. One of the
strikes cited by the Washington Post, on June 8, was reported by Syrian state
media as an Israeli aerial attack near the Syrian capital Damascus and in the
central province of Homs, that prompted a response from Syrian national air
defenses. There was no mention in official media of what was targeted in the
strikes, although loud explosions were heard in Damascus.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based group that closely
monitors the war in Syria, reported Israeli planes struck military targets in
the countryside of Homs and Damascus. It said the targeted sites included a
scientific research center in the vicinity of the village of Khirbet al-Tineh,
northwest of Homs, in addition to an ammunition depot likely to belong to
Hezbollah, south of Homs. The strikes killed 11 soldiers, including a colonel,
it said. Unconfirmed reports published by pro-Assad media at the time identified
the colonel as a leading chemist at the Scientific Studies and Research Center,
Gen. Ayham Sueleiman Ismail. The center is a government agency described by the
Syrians as a facility for the advancement of scientific research in the country
but has been long described by Syria watchers as an outfit for the development
of chemical, biological and other weapons. Israel is believed to have struck
facilities associated with the SSRC on numerous occasions in the past. Syria
joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in September 2013, pressed by Russia
after a deadly chemical weapons attack that the West blamed on Damascus. By
August 2014, the Assad government declared that the destruction of its chemical
weapons was completed, but its initial declaration of chemical stockpiles and
production sites to the OPCW has remained in dispute. OPCW investigators have
blamed three chemical attacks in 2017 on President Bashar Assad's government.
Earlier this year, the U.N.'s disarmament chief, Izumi Nakamitsu, told the
Security Council that Damascus' declaration of its chemical stockpiles and
chemical weapons production sites nearly eight years ago remains incomplete.
Cairo Says Cooperation Is Crucial to Address Cross-Border
Corruption
Cairo - Asharq Al-Awsat/Tuesday, 14 December, 2021
Egypt has underscored the importance of serious and fruitful coordination to
address cross-border corruption. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said
that corruption "hinders sustainable development, being a multidimensional
phenomenon that undermines prosperity, leads to high rates of poverty and
affects human rights."His remarks were made during the ninth session of the
Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against
Corruption (UNCAC/COSP9), hosted by Sharm El Sheikh from December 13 until 17.
Egypt's cabinet said in a statement that the event is considered "the most
important, during which participants can exchange experiences and practices to
prevent and confront corruption."Executive Director of the United Nations Office
on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Ghada Wali stressed the importance of the conference,
given that the UN Convention against Corruption is the “comprehensive
international instrument against corruption that threatens the security of
states and impedes sustainable development efforts worldwide.” Madbouly
explained that Egypt had launched a comprehensive national economic reform
program in 2016 to achieve macroeconomic stability, attract local and
international investments and reduce public debt rates. He pointed out that the
state is also currently implementing a series of national projects that help in
creating job opportunities, improving citizens' livelihood, in an attempt to
reduce corruption practices. Madbouly said that the presidential “Decent Life”
initiative to develop Egyptian villages, tops the programs aimed at improving
the lives of about 60 million Egyptians living in the countryside. “Working to
improve the living conditions of the marginalized groups is one way to fight
corruption, discrimination and inequality,” the premier stressed, adding that
the new republic offers hope to all Egyptians to live in dignity, prosperity and
progress.
Arab Coalition Strikes Kill 140 Houthi Militants
Aden – Ali Rabea/Tuesday, 14 December, 2021
The Saudi-led Arab coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen continues to support
the Yemeni national army to fight the Iran-backed Houthi militias in the
oil-rich Marib province. More than 140 Houthi militants were killed and 14
military vehicles got destroyed in 28 operations in Marib and al-Jawf during the
past 24 hours, the coalition announced, the Saudi Press Agency. reported. Also,
the Yemeni army announced the death of its commander outside the central city of
Marib. Gen. Nasser al-Thaybani died while commanding government troops who were
fighting off Houthi incursions into the strategic al-Balaq mountain range that
overlooks part of the city, the army said. The Ministry of Defense and the Chief
of Staff mourned Thaybani in a statement, noting that he “was killed while
performing his national duty to defend the republican system and national gains
and lead the battles to confront Houthis on the outskirts of Marib Governorate.”
“Thaybani was one of the loyal leaders who sacrificed their lives and time to
the homeland, and was one of the first officers to answer the call of duty and
defend Yemen’s honor.”The late commander led several liberation battles in Marib,
al-Jawf, al-Bayda, Sanaa and Shabwa governorates, the statement added. The
ministry vowed to carry on its military operations “until the desired national
goals are fully achieved and Yemen restores its sovereignty and security and
defeats the schemes and ambitions of Iranian terrorism and its vengeful militias
that threaten the security of Yemen and the region.”On Sunday, the Arab
Coalition said it had carried out 35 operations targeting the militias in Marib,
during which more than 200 militants were killed and 21 military vehicles were
destroyed. “We carried out three targeted operations in the western coast to
support the coastal forces and protect civilians. The western coast operations
targeted two military vehicles and eliminated more than 15 terrorists,” the
coalition said in a series of tweets carried out by SPA.
Tunisia Opposition Condemns Extension of Parliament
Freeze
Agence France Presse/Tuesday, 14 December, 2021
Opponents of Tunisian President Kais Saied on Tuesday slammed his decision to
extend a months-long suspension of parliament, accusing him of dealing another
blow to the country's nascent democracy. Saied had on Monday evening vowed to
press on with reforms to Tunisia's political system, after he sacked the
government, froze the legislature and seized wide-ranging executive powers in
July. The former constitutional law professor announced an 11-week "popular
consultation" to produce "draft constitutional and other reforms" ahead of a
referendum on July 25 next year. That will mark a year since his power grab,
which came as the North African country wallowed in political and economic
crises compounded by the coronavirus pandemic. Saied had in October moved to
rule by decree, escalating fears for the only democracy to have emerged from the
2011 Arab uprisings. He said Monday that parliament would remain suspended until
new elections on December 17 next year, the anniversary of the start of the
revolution that chased dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali from power. That
effectively dissolved the current assembly dominated by his nemesis, the
Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party, which has played a central role in Tunisian
politics since Ben Ali's fall. While many Tunisians, tired of a system seen as
dysfunctional and corrupt, welcomed Saied's moves, he has also faced growing
opposition in the form of mass demonstrations at home and pressure from abroad.
The envoys of the G7 powers plus the European Union had urged Tunisia on Friday
to set a timeline for a return to democratic institutions.
- 'I am the state' -
On Tuesday, political analyst Slaheddine Jourchi said Saied had "tried to pull
the rug from under his rivals' feet by laying out a timeline". But he added that
the president was "determined to push through his political project to the
end".Other opponents accused Saied of seeking to extend his one-man rule and
unilaterally remake the political system. Former MP Hichem Ajbouni wrote on
Facebook that Saied's speech boiled down to: "I am the state, I am the
president, I am the government, I am the parliament, I am the judiciary -- and
everyone who opposes me is either hungry for power, a liar, a traitor, a thief,
an agent, or ignorant."Yet some in Tunis welcomed Saied's latest move. Nizar ben
Ahmida, a 37-year-old teacher, stressed the importance of announcing a timeline.
But he said the speech lacked details on "employment, poverty, marginalisation
and prosecution of those who have committed crimes against this country". Tunis
resident Nidhal said the election date was too far away. "(Saied) is playing for
time. He wants to implement his ideas," the 35-year-old said.
- 'Ridicule' -
Saied said a consultation on constitutional reforms would be launched on January
1, via custom-built electronic platforms. These proposals would then be examined
by a committee of experts appointed by the president, before being put to
referendum. But former Ennahdha MP Samir Dilou said the idea would "make Tunisia
an object of ridicule"."Saied's speech reflects the state of denial in which he
lives and his refusal to listen to anyone, neither his supporters nor his
opponents," he told the daily Assabah. The analyst Jourchi said developments
would depend on how the public reacts. "The street isn't reassured. The economic
situation is what concerns the Tunisian public," he said. Tunisia faces mounting
public debt, inflation, 18 percent unemployment and stalled negotiations with
the International Monetary Fund for its fourth bailout since the revolution. But
the 63-year-old president's focus has remained firmly on remaking the political
system and tackling opponents -- primarily Ennahdha -- whom he accuses of
corruption. After seizing control of the judiciary in July, he has pushed judges
to investigate alleged foreign financing for campaigns during 2019 parliamentary
elections. Today, Jourchi said, "the big problem lies in the fact that he is
continuing to rule by decree. His political conflict with his opponents will
escalate and tensions will remain."
Ukrainian Defense Minister: Our Troop Buildup is
Defensive
Associated Press/Tuesday, 14 December, 2021
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said Tuesday that the former Soviet
republic has "no plans to attack anyone," and its gathering of troops is purely
defensive amid speculations of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine as soon as
next month. In recent weeks, there has been a massive Russian troop buildup near
Ukraine's border which has prompted fears of a possible invasion in Kyiv and the
West. Moscow has denied plans to attack Ukraine and in turn blamed Ukraine's own
military buildup in the east of the country, where Ukrainian forces have been
fighting with Russia-backed separatists since 2014. Russian officials alleged
that Kyiv might try to reclaim the areas controlled by the rebels by force.
Ukrainian officials have denied an intention to do so. "We don't plan to attack
anyone and we don't plan to invade any other country's territory," Reznikov
said. "Our defense capacity is important to protect our people, our society, our
lives."He told reporters that war in Ukraine means war in Europe, adding that
"there are clear signals from the international community that Ukraine will not
be left alone in case of a Russian invasion."Russian President Vladimir Putin
has strongly emphasized that Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO represent a red
line for Moscow, and also expressed concern about plans by some Alliance members
to set up military training centers in Ukraine. He said that would give them a
military foothold there even without Ukraine joining the 30-country military
organization. Reznikov said that Ukraine's right to join any military alliance,
including NATO, was written down in the country's Constitution, adding "we are
going to be a de facto NATO member and implement NATO standards." "We are going
to make to reforms because that is what we need," he added. Reznikov was in
Stockholm to meet his Swedish counterpart Peter Hultqvist and Sweden's Foreign
Minister Ann Linde.
Canada/Minister Joly and Minister Sajjan conclude G7 Foreign and Development
Ministers’ Meeting
December 14, 2021 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable
Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible
for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, concluded their
participation in the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting in Liverpool,
United Kingdom.
Throughout her program, Minister Joly reiterated the importance of the strong
relationship between Canada and the G7 community and engaged with her
counterparts on some of the most pressing issues of our time. Together, they
presented a united front in condemning Russia’s recent destabilizing behaviour,
re-committed to defending human rights and democracy, and exchanged views on the
situations in Afghanistan and Ethiopia. She also reaffirmed Canada’s commitment
to deter and end arbitrary detention for leverage in diplomatic relations.
Minister Sajjan engaged in key discussions focused on the international response
to and recovery from the pandemic. He discussed the critical importance of
increasing access to COVID-19 vaccines in support of global immunization targets
and affirmed Canada’s commitment to donate the equivalent of at least 200
million doses through the COVAX Facility by the end of 2022. He engaged on the
issue of promoting quality infrastructure in low and middle-income countries,
with a particular focus on the Indo-Pacific. The Minister also highlighted the
importance of addressing gender equality in conflict settings.
During the two-day meeting, the ministers took the opportunity to meet with many
of the invitees.
Quotes
“The cooperation and leadership of the G7 remains critically important to
addressing the challenges facing the international community. Canada’s message
to our allies is clear: when our democracies are challenged, we are stronger and
our impact is greater when we work together.”
- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“In the face of such immense global challenges, it’s essential that Canada
remains connected and engaged with our international partners. The G7 is an
important avenue in which to work collaboratively to build a better world for
everyone, everywhere.”
- Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister
responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
Quick facts
The G7 is an informal group of like-minded partners that brings together Canada,
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the
European Union.
The G7 dates back to the mid-1970s, and the G7 presidency, which rotates
annually between member countries, sets the agenda for the year in consultation
with G7 partners. The United Kingdom has held the presidency in 2021 and Germany
will assume the presidency for 2022. Canada last held the presidency in 2018.
The next G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 2022 and
the G7 Leaders’ Summit is scheduled for June 2022.
Related products
G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Russia and Ukraine
Minister Joly speaks with EU High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell
Minister Joly meets with German counterpart
Minister Joly meets with South Korea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs
Associated links
Canada and the G7
Canada/Readout: Minister Joly meets with South Korea’s
Minister of Foreign Affairs
December 13, 2021 – Liverpool, United Kingdom - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met yesterday with
Chung Eui-yong, South Korea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, for the first time,
on the margins of the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting in
Liverpool, United Kingdom.
The ministers emphasized the strength of the Canada-South Korea bilateral
relationship, including strong people-to-people ties and valuable commercial
engagement. They discussed their shared concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic
and the importance of international collaboration in addressing the pandemic.
During their meeting, the ministers also discussed deepening bilateral
collaboration related to the Indo-Pacific region in order to advance shared
priorities, including trade and investment, and ways to support the Women, Peace
and Security agenda. Minister Joly reaffirmed Canada’s enduring commitment to
security and stability in the region.
Minister Joly also took the opportunity to congratulate Minister Chung on South
Korea’s successful hosting of the recent Seoul UN Peacekeeping Ministerial
virtual conference, and personally thanked him for his engagement with the G7
throughout 2021.
The Latest The Latest LCCC English
analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published
on December 14-15/2021
Biden Administration Limits Itself to Symbolic Sanctions on
Syria
David Adesnik/Policy Brief/December 14/ 2021
The Treasury Department imposed sanctions on five Syrian military officers last
week, including commanders with direct responsibility for the use of chemical
weapons against civilians. While these five officers fully deserve the
blacklisting, the Biden administration has avoided targeting the financiers who
facilitate the Damascus regime’s atrocities.
According to Treasury, Major General Tawfiq Muhammad Khadour commanded Syrian
air force units that employed both chlorine bombs and conventional munitions
against civilian targets. Major General Muhammad Youssef al-Hasouri, himself a
pilot, “personally carried out numerous airstrikes killing Syrian civilians,”
including the April 2017 sarin attack that killed at least killed 87 people. In
addition to taking measures against Khadour and Hasouri, Treasury announced
sanctions on three military intelligence officers responsible for torture and
extrajudicial killings.
In 2019, bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress passed the Caesar
Syria Civilian Protection Act, which seeks to intensify economic pressure on the
regime of Bashar al-Assad to stop human rights violations and incentivize a
negotiated end to the war in Syria. In the six months after the law went into
effect in June 2020, the U.S. government added 113 entities and individuals to
its sanctions list, including financiers such as Khodr Ali Taher and Yasser
Ibrahim as well as numerous officers responsible for grave human rights
violations.
After taking office, the Biden administration waited six months before
blacklisting any additional Assad regime figures. When the administration
finally acted in July 2021, its sanctions targeted five security officials,
eight prisons, and a pro-regime militia — all responsible for atrocities, but
none of them significant financial supporters of the regime. The absence of
economically significant targets from the latest round of sanctions confirms the
administration is deliberately avoiding the escalation of pressure on Assad.
On the contrary, the administration has enabled the Assad regime’s diplomatic
and economic re-engagement with Arab governments that previously shunned
Damascus. In August, the State Department signaled approval of a regional energy
deal that would allow Lebanon to import natural gas and electric power via
Syria. Within weeks, Jordan, Lebanon, and other countries resumed the high-level
diplomatic contacts with Damascus that they had suspended during the first years
of the war in Syria.
The Biden administration initially sought to avoid media coverage of its new
policy, which is at odds with Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s commitment to
“put human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy.” In response to
questions about this apparent shift, Blinken sought to create an impression of
continuity by emphasizing that Washington itself would not engage with Assad.
Yet he conceded that the administration would no longer stand in the way of
others doing so.
Assad has not made any apparent concessions on human rights, chemical weapons,
or other issues in response to Washington’s embrace of a less confrontational
policy. Nor should one expect the regime to change its behavior when the Biden
administration opts for toleration despite ongoing atrocities and Assad’s
aggressive move into narco-trafficking.
So far, despite overwhelming votes in favor of the Caesar Act, few in Congress
have called on the administration to obey the spirit and the letter of the law,
as the administration promised to do on multiple occasions. The House and Senate
should promptly hold hearings on Syria, forcing the White House to defend a
policy that advances neither America’s values nor its interests.
*David Adesnik is research director and a senior fellow at the Foundation for
Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Center on Economic
and Financial Power (CEFP). For more analysis from David and CEFP, please
subscribe HERE. Follow David on Twitter @adesnik. Follow FDD on Twitter @FDD and
@FDD_CEFP. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute
focusing on national security and foreign policy.
Gulf Arab Summit Could Be Overshadowed by Israel-UAE Meeting
Simon Henderson, Elana DeLozier/The washington Institute/December 14/ 2021
Normalization with Israel will be the elephant in the room at the Riyadh summit,
though Iran diplomacy and persistent internal rifts bear close watching as well.
On December 14, officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council states will meet in
Saudi Arabia for their latest summit. Two days beforehand, Israeli prime
minister Naftali Bennett arrived in Abu Dhabi for a meeting with Crown Prince
Muhammad bin Zayed (aka MbZ), the de facto leader of the United Arab Emirates.
In global and historical terms, a first-time Israeli public summit overshadows
the forty-second GCC Summit. When the council was established in 1981 with U.S.
and British encouragement, the meetings served as an important tool for keeping
the Gulf Arab states out of the Iran-Iraq War. These days, however, their main
purpose seems to be celebrating the GCC’s continued existence. The previous
meeting, held last January, marked the formal end of a nearly four-year rift in
which Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain had established a blockade against
Qatar. (The two other GCC members, Kuwait and Oman, did not participate in the
squabble, which supposedly began over Qatar’s interference in the other
countries’ domestic affairs, alleged support for terrorism, and close ties to
Iran.
The question now is whether that appearance of unity will change in the
aftermath of Bennett’s visit. Although the UAE and Bahrain are signatories to
the Abraham Accords, last year’s landmark Arab normalization agreements with
Israel, the other GCC members are not. Their reasons vary. Saudi Arabia allows
Israeli aircraft to overfly its territory but has held back from formal
diplomatic engagement, apparently because of King Salman’s concern for the
Palestinians and the status of Jerusalem. Oman welcomed a visit by Binyamin
Netanyahu when he was prime minister but does not have official diplomatic
relations. Qatar held ties with Israel in the past—ironically, it was the first
Gulf state to establish them—but it generally keeps its distance today aside
from relaxing certain restrictions on Israeli visitors. Kuwait is the most
reluctant to normalize because of adverse public opinion. All of these states
are probably also watching to see whether the UAE and Bahrain’s risk pays
off—including in the form of possible U.S. benefits.
In this context, the current summit merits closer attention than usual. Besides
the potential for further signals about how member states view Bennett’s UAE
visit and normalization in general, specific aspects of the event could help
clarify where the Gulf states stand with each other and Washington.
Why in Saudi Arabia Again?
Although the venue has historically rotated between member states, this summit
is the fourth in a row to be hosted by the kingdom. Why is unclear, but it could
be a source of friction. Saudi Arabia regards itself as the de facto leader of
the GCC, whose secretariat is in Riyadh. Yet the other members prefer to see the
council as a forum of equals. The timing of the Israel-UAE meeting could further
illuminate this tension.
Who Will Be There?
Recent summits have been notable for the absence of several heads of state, and
this will likely continue. Eighty-five-year-old King Salman formally sent out
the invitations, but he apparently remains cloistered for health reasons in NEOM,
the futuristic city being built on the kingdom’s northern Red Sea coast.
Also missing will be President Khalifa bin Zayed of the UAE, who suffered a
severe stroke several years ago and is seldom seen in public. MbZ will probably
skip the event as well. Despite his powerful role, he has no formal political
position in the UAE—which absolves him from having to explain either his absence
from summits or his meeting with Bennett. In any case, Vice President Muhammad
bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, will be present.
Also unlikely to attend is Emir Nawaf of Kuwait. He ascended to the throne just
last year, but the eighty-four-year-old is in poor health and handed over some
of his powers to his younger brother, Crown Prince Mishal, three weeks ago.
Another absentee will be Sultan Haitham of Oman, who is visiting London on a
private trip instead.
The star of the show will undoubtedly be the Saudi king’s favored son Crown
Prince Muhammad bin Salman (aka MbS), who chaired the previous summit as well.
Notably, he has just completed a whirlwind tour to the other member states.
What’s on the Agenda?
The final communique of the previous summit addressed regional issues in a
telling order: Iran came first, followed by Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt,
Jordan, Libya, Sudan, Morocco, Afghanistan, and the status of Rohingya Muslims
in Myanmar. Analysts will also be looking for any change in the boilerplate
wording on “The Palestinian Cause,” which the communique noted was “considered
to be the first priority by Arabs and Muslims.” The document made no mention of
normalization with Israel, and despite Bennett’s UAE visit, the issue is
unlikely to be addressed in the next communique either.
In official terms, Iran will likely be the main focus again, particularly given
that Saudi Arabia and the UAE opened direct talks with Tehran this year. In the
previous communique, the GCC expressed concern about terrorism and Iran’s
“destabilizing behavior,” including its missiles and nuclear program. In light
of the ongoing nuclear talks in Vienna, the council may once again state that it
favors “building trust...and involving GCC countries...in any negotiation
process” on Iran.
In addition, the Emirati delegation will likely raise its annual objection to
“Iranian occupation of the three islands of the UAE,” referring to Tehran’s 1971
seizure of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, which sit astride shipping
lanes in the Persian Gulf. The islands were taken just as Britain gave up its
role as the decisive power in the region and withdrew its forces, paving the way
for pre-revolutionary Iran to exert itself as the most powerful state in the
Middle East.
Other Issues
The dominant context behind this summit is the widespread perception that the
Biden administration is reluctant to play a decisive military role in the Gulf,
despite the area’s continuing significance in providing much of the world’s oil
and natural gas. This perception may have influenced the reported spate of
recent diplomatic contacts between the Gulf states and Iran. Even Saudi Arabia
has conducted discreet talks, though the most significant public contact may
have been last week’s trip to Tehran by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, the UAE’s
national security advisor and full brother of MbZ. No details have been provided
about his meeting with Ali Shamkhani, the long-serving secretary of Iran’s
Supreme National Security Council; one wonders if Bennett was given a readout of
the encounter when he visited Abu Dhabi.
An esoteric summit detail to keep an eye on is Bahrain’s behavior toward Qatar.
The island’s leaders have appeared reluctant to support the Saudi-led decision
to end the Gulf rift. Instead, its media wars with Qatar have continued, as has
squabbling over fishing rights. Perhaps Doha will provide a sweetener by
granting Bahrain a role in housing soccer fans during next year’s World Cup,
especially since Qatar may lack sufficient hotel space.
Prior to Bennett’s UAE trips, GCC news was dominated by coverage of the visits
MbS was conducting to other GCC states, suggesting that the summit could mark a
de facto acquiescence to him becoming the accepted ruler of Saudi Arabia. That
would indeed be a significant shift, especially since he has held back from
grabbing a global role in recent weeks ago by skipping the G20 summit in Rome
and the climate meeting in Glasgow (though his absence did not stem from any
fear of the international limelight, but apparently from a desire to avoid being
snubbed by President Biden over the murder of dissident journalist Jamal
Khashoggi).
Conclusion
For observers wanting to know the implications of the Bennett-MbZ meeting, the
GCC Summit will provide an early reading. For the United States, the overarching
issue to monitor is what council members have to say about tensions over Iran’s
nuclear program, though the parameters of that discussion may well be changing
as Tehran continues to make notable advances.
*Simon Henderson is the Baker Fellow and director of the Bernstein Program on
Gulf and Energy Policy at The Washington Institute. Elana DeLozier is the
Institute’s Rubin Family Fellow.
Iran’s Ballistic Missile Arsenal Is Still Growing in Size, Reach, and Accuracy
Farzin Nadimi/The washington Institute/December 14/ 2021
Tehran has doubled down on the strategic importance of missile systems that can
threaten U.S. forces and allies, even as its defensive justifications for such
an arsenal ring more hollow than ever.
When the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was first being formulated
and implemented in 2015-16, negotiators reluctantly concluded that in order to
achieve meaningful progress, they would need to isolate the nuclear deal from
other areas of major concern. Notwithstanding whether that was a wise decision
or not, each of these areas has since undergone substantial changes that merit
closer scrutiny now that new negotiations are taking place. Perhaps the most
pressing concerns stem from the regime’s missile development and proliferation
activities, which predictably continued apace following the JCPOA.
Digging in Strategically
Iran’s efforts on this front have been a subject of scrutiny since at least 1998
when it first tested the Shahab-3 ballistic missile, and the program’s progress
has been steady ever since despite occasional setbacks. Today, the country’s
military and political leaders use every opportunity to reiterate that foreign
attempts to limit these activities risk crossing a fundamental redline. Indeed,
the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has dug in for the long term
against a vastly superior U.S. foe, tapping a remarkable array of resources to
develop new capabilities. Tehran shows no sign of slowing these advancements,
which it deems essential to security goals such as threatening Israel’s
existence, holding U.S. regional bases at risk, empowering foreign proxies, and
deterring internal or external attacks against regime centers of gravity (e.g.,
nuclear and military industries).
Toward that end, the imperative of establishing a robust missile capability has
been enshrined in various official documents and statements. During the August
25 parliamentary confirmation assembly for Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Qaraei
Ashtiani, for example, the general committed his institution to prioritizing
Iran’s strategic missile capability above other force multipliers. He also
emphasized using domestic resources and industries to circumvent international
sanctions on missile-related technologies, and to facilitate more export and
foreign production of missile capabilities once Iran replenishes its own
strategic stocks. Similarly, in President Ebrahim Raisi’s first budget request
submitted to parliament on December 12, the equivalent of 210 million euros is
dedicated to ballistic missile projects under the name of the late IRGC missile
chief Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, in addition to other unspecified portions of the
expanded defense budget that will be devoted to that sector. All of these
commitments build on the aerospace roadmap Iran ratified in 2013, which called
for continuing missile development to deter threats and launch satellites.
New Systems and Underground Sites
Iran has unveiled ten new ballistic missiles and three new satellite launch
vehicles (SLVs) since 2015, along with several new transport and launch systems
and methods. It has also revealed the existence of multiple underground missile
complexes, or so-called “missile cities.” The first three complexes were
officially unveiled in September 2015, January 2016, and May 2017 after years of
development. Currently, almost every province is believed to have at least one
deeply buried ballistic missile storage and launch site, with satellite imagery
showing numerous construction and expansion projects across the country, mainly
oriented toward the south and southwest.
One new capability demonstrated since 2020 is an automated missile launch system
that can position up to five fully fueled ballistic missiles on an underground
railcar for sequential ripple-fire launch through a single vertical shaft.
Another system for Iran’s smaller solid-fuel missiles employs buried
fixed-launch canisters, reminiscent of the American MX missile’s “buried trench”
concept of the Cold War era.
Tehran is also suspected of working on large-diameter solid-propellant rocket
stages for use on future SLVs and intermediate-range or intercontinental
ballistic missiles (IRBMs/ICBMs). In a December 2005 letter to Supreme Leader
Ali Khamenei, the since-deceased Tehrani Moghaddam dutifully reported that two
of his high-priority projects had reached their final stages: a hypersonic
rapid-reaction missile capable of reaching Israel, and an SLV. In 2008, Iran
unveiled its first SLV and its Sejjil two-stage solid-propellant missile, which
is believed capable of achieving a reentry speed more than five times the speed
of sound. By 2010, the IRGC was successfully test-firing a large
solid-propellant motor. IRGC general Mohammad Tehrani Moghaddam has also alluded
to the existence of an ICBM development program originally under his late
brother’s direction.
More recently, Iran unveiled its newest solid-propellant motors—named Salman and
Zoheir—last year. And in early 2021, it launched its first multistage
solid-propellant SLV on a suborbital test mission (albeit with a liquid-fuel
first stage as a stopgap measure).
Advances in Precision Guidance and Range
Another feature incorporated since 2015 is more capable terminal precision
guidance. With the Imad missile, the IRGC could steer a separating warhead for
highly accurate (if not precision) guidance at ranges approaching 1,700
kilometers. In 2017, Iran introduced the Khoramshahr, whose liquid-fuel engine
configuration was supposedly developed with North Korea’s help if not completely
imported. This missile is reportedly capable of carrying large
payloads—potentially including miniaturized nuclear warheads—to a range of 2,000
km. Chairman of the Armed Forces General Staff Gen. Mohammad Bagheri has further
claimed that it offers a CEP (circular error probable, a standard measure of
precision) of 60 meters at a range of 1,300 km. And last year, the Khoramshahr-2
was unveiled with a steerable warhead, potentially enabling it to deliver higher
accuracy and survivability at a range beyond 2,000 km if armed with smaller
warheads.
If Iran achieves a consistent CEP of 10 meters or better with medium-range
ballistic missiles and other platforms, it could be a game-changing capability.
The regime has already demonstrated this degree of precision with shorter-range
systems reportedly used in high-profile operations over the past few years, such
as the September 2018 strike on a meeting of Iranian dissidents in Iraqi
Kurdistan, the September 2019 strike on Saudi Aramco facilities, the January
2020 strike on U.S. targets at al-Asad Air Base in Iraq, and the annual Great
Prophet military exercise. In theory, a conventional ballistic missile attack
using highly accurate or precision-guided systems could replicate the
geopolitical effects of a small nuclear weapon—provided they are combined with
other advanced capabilities such as effective anti-missile defense
countermeasures (e.g., low-observable material, separating controllable
warheads, complex maneuvering flight profiles, hypersonic midcourse and reentry
speeds) and/or complex attack tactics (e.g., synchronized use of loitering
munitions to attack missile defenses). The regime has demonstrated progress in
some if not all of these areas, in addition to expanding its use of
electro-optical imaging seeker heads for precision guidance on ballistic
missiles.
Yet the reach of Iran’s solid-propellant systems has shown even faster progress.
In 2015, the Fateh-313 was unveiled with a range of 500 km, a significant
improvement over the previous version’s 300 km. To maximize destructive power
along with range, designers incorporated more composite materials in the body
and motor casing.
Iran’s latest solid-propellant guided missile, Raad-500, is significantly
shorter than its predecessor (7.61 m compared to 8.86) yet can reportedly reach
500 km. Its warhead is smaller but still powerful, and designed to separate in
the early midcourse phase, making it more difficult to detect, track, and
intercept than unibody missiles (e.g., Fateh-110) or those with warheads that
separate in the terminal phase.
From Offense to Defense?
As demonstrated in last year’s al-Asad base attack, Iranian solid-fuel
semi-ballistic missiles pose a significant threat to nearby U.S. forces and
facilities in Iraq, Syria, and the Persian Gulf. They could also be used to
threaten commercial shipping in the area along with economic and military
infrastructure. While missiles themselves can serve both defensive and offensive
purposes, the Islamic Republic’s missile program was founded on a heavily
ideological offensive base.
For instance, Iranian officials frequently attempt to justify the program by
citing lessons learned from the urgent defensive measures implemented during the
1980s war with Iraq. Yet this example is misleading—Tehran did not start
shopping for ballistic missile technology from Libya, Syria, North Korea, and
China in earnest until the offensive phase of that war, when Iranian forces were
advancing inside Iraq with the goal of conquering Baghdad and then continuing
toward Jerusalem. In keeping with the regime’s ideology of exporting the Islamic
Revolution, this strategy was subsequently aimed at Riyadh and U.S. military
assets as well.
To be sure, the IRGC’s ballistic and cruise missile programs have also resulted
in respectable defensive capabilities, and its military deterrent power is
multipronged. Yet its increasingly accurate, lethal, and longer-range missile
force has arguably become the most important aspect of Iran’s overall military
doctrine.
Interestingly, the regime’s longstanding strategic focus on increasing the range
of its systems is being supplanted with high accuracy now that the necessary
technology is available. Therefore, it may be worth exploring whether Tehran can
be persuaded to officially and verifiably dispense with range beyond a certain
point in favor of a reasonable arsenal of advanced short-range missiles that
fulfill its legitimate defensive needs.
Of course, this option would not be feasible unless it were discussed within a
context of regional rapprochement, since even Iran’s shorter-range systems
currently pose a significant threat to U.S. partners in the region. Israel and
the Gulf states are understandably concerned that short-range missiles or
loitering drones with precision-guided capability can put their strategic
infrastructure at risk if launched from forward positions.
Yet with this caveat in mind, the international community has every reason to
press Tehran on dismantling its longer-range missile program. Notwithstanding
its false historical analogies, the regime has no legitimate defensive
requirement for a surface-to-surface missile range beyond 300 km. Originally,
the only purpose for such a capability was to support the expansion of Iran’s
regional influence and create the backbone for long-range missiles capable of
carrying nuclear warheads, at a time when Tehran was far away from fielding
precision-guided ballistic missiles.
Even if these fears were dispelled under the most optimistic circumstances—that
is, if Iran, Israel, and other players hypothetically agreed to pursue a serious
regional de-escalation and deconfliction process—the scale of Tehran’s current
missile efforts would not make sense. When countries have normal relations with
each other, they can rightfully be expected to develop legitimate defensive
capabilities such as modern airpower and seapower. Yet a missile arsenal has at
least one key difference: it is not nearly as transparent, and therefore lends
itself to distrust and misconstrued intentions.
Ultimately, whatever inducements Washington and other actors might contemplate,
the reality is that Iran in its current political and ideological form is almost
certain to reject any agreement with the West that includes considerable
restrictions on its missile capabilities. On the contrary, the regime should be
expected to continue increasing these capabilities indefinitely, including the
range factor. And even if Tehran were willing to discuss such restrictions,
establishing a verification mechanism for safely dismantling its existing
long-range arsenal and monitoring any forward-deployment of missiles would be a
similarly monumental task—especially now that it is producing smaller, more
mobile missiles with longer ranges.
That said, Washington and other actors should still explore interim measures
that might facilitate an informal understanding. More broadly, the ongoing JCPOA
talks and the specter of renewed pressure on Tehran provide an opportunity for
Washington to once again highlight the dangers that Iran’s ever-expanding
missile development and proliferation activities pose—not just to regional
states, but potentially further abroad if the program continues down the road it
has followed for the past three decades.
*Farzin Nadimi is an associate fellow with The Washington Institute,
specializing in the security and defense affairs of Iran and the Gulf region.
Poverty, Economic Turmoil Shaking Erdoğan's Throne
Burak Bekdil/Gatestone Institute./December 14, 2021
Erdoğan's biggest political rival ahead of the 2023 presidential elections seems
to be -- poverty.
The first decade of Erdoğan's rule actually brought relative prosperity to
Turks. Per capita GDP rose sharply from $3,688 in 2002 to $11,796 in 2012...
Since 2013, however, reckless nepotism, increasing authoritarianism, corruption
and economic mismanagement have boosted interest-rates, inflation and
unemployment, bringing per capita GDP down to an estimated $7,500.
Nearly half of Turkish workers are minimum wage earners, meaning that millions
of families must survive on $233 a month
Unfortunately, since early 2018, the lira has been on a downward slide due to
constant geopolitical tensions with the West, widening current account deficits,
shrinking foreign currency reserves and mounting public debt.
As the lira crashes to insane historic lows, local salaries are also severely
devalued.
Erdoğan is heading fast to becoming the victim of his own miscalculations: a
dramatically mismanaged economy and geostrategic challenges that went beyond
Turkey's political and military might.
Perhaps these missteps will be the beginning of the end of Erdoğan's ugly
populism -- his neo-Ottoman ambitions that have caused major damage to Turkey's
economy as well as the country's international isolation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's biggest political rival ahead of the
2023 presidential elections seems to be -- poverty. Nearly half of Turkish
workers are minimum wage earners, meaning that millions of families must survive
on $233 a month. In October, Turkey's official year-on-year inflation rate was
19.89%... the annualized inflation rate for that month was measured at 49.87%.
A punishing economic crisis in 2000-2001, the worst ever in modern Turkish
history, pushed millions of Turks below the poverty line. In 2002, Turks went to
the ballot box to punish a ruling coalition of mainstream parties and elected as
prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. By a simple twist of fate, nearly two
decades later, Erdoğan's biggest political rival ahead of the 2023 presidential
elections seems to be -- poverty.
The first decade of Erdoğan's rule actually brought relative prosperity to
Turks. Per capita GDP rose sharply from $3,688 in 2002 to $11,796 in 2012,
boosting his popularity. Since 2013, however, reckless nepotism, increasing
authoritarianism, corruption and economic mismanagement have boosted
interest-rates, inflation and unemployment, bringing per capita GDP down to an
estimated $7,500.
In October, Turkey's official year-on-year inflation rate was 19.89%. Awkwardly,
an independent group of academics, ENAG, measured the annualized inflation rate
for the month of October at 49.87%.
Nearly half of Turkish workers are minimum-wage earners, meaning that millions
of families must survive on about $233 a month.
In mid-2017, when the Turkish lira traded at 3.5 to one U.S. dollar, Erdoğan
advised Turks to sell their foreign currencies and invest in the national
currency. Unfortunately, since early 2018, the lira has been on a downward slide
due to constant geopolitical tensions with the West, widening current account
deficits, shrinking foreign currency reserves and mounting public debt.
Erdoğan, who advocates aggressive interest rate cuts, has fired three central
bank governors in roughly two years. Since September, he has pushed the central
bank to make three interest rate cuts, the most recent in mid-November. He might
have been hoping that lower interest rates would boost jobs, exports and growth
-- a miracle blend of economic outlook that would bring him votes in 2023.
At the time of writing, the Turkish lira had crashed to a record low of 13.88 to
the U.S. dollar -- well past what just a month earlier had been deemed a
psychological barrier of 11 liras to the dollar. Within four and a half years,
defying Erdoğan's advice to invest in Turkey's currency, the dollar's value
against the lira skyrocketed from 3.5 to 13.88. Only this year, the lira has
shed over 42% of its value against the dollar, making it the weakest global
currency. On November 23, as markets were in turmoil, Apple halted sales of
nearly all of its products in Turkey.
As the lira crashes to insane historic lows, local salaries are also severely
devalued. Today, with his monthly salary, a Turkish minimum wage earner can
afford 64 small cans of beer.
Turks say that household budgets and future plans are in turmoil. Businesses
fare no better. At the end of August 2021, the private sector's foreign currency
debt stock was at $174 billion. Since the beginning of the year, that debt
stock, in lira terms, has risen by over 42%, potentially putting thousands of
companies at risk of default.
Turks, including Erdoğan's once loyal supporters, are angry. On November 23,
protests in Istanbul and the capital, Ankara, called for an end to the policies
that have caused the economic slide, and that have led to an inflationary spiral
and the crash of the lira this year. In parts of Istanbul, as protesters vented
their fury against the Erdoğan government, police had to erect barriers.
Economic turmoil is an existential threat to Erdogan's grip on power. Research
shows how much bread-and-butter issues matter to Turks, as probably to all
voters. The pollster Optimar found that 63.8% of Turks think their biggest
problem is the economy and unemployment. Optimar also found that only 27.8% of
Turks think Erdoğan can resolve their pressing economic problems.
What can Erdoğan do? He does not seem to have too many options. He may stop
challenging market forces and reverse his interest rate policy by raising rates,
which then will come with another pre-election cost: an economic slowdown. He
try to can tap into the vaults of rich friends such as Qatar for cash infusions
and investment. That would at least be a temporary relief for an economy
suffering fundamental imbalances.
Erdoğan is heading fast to becoming the victim of his own miscalculations: a
dramatically mismanaged economy and geostrategic challenges that went beyond
Turkey's political and military might.
Perhaps these missteps will be the beginning of the end of Erdoğan's ugly
populism -- his neo-Ottoman ambitions that have caused major damage to Turkey's
economy as well as the country's international isolation.
*Burak Bekdil, one of Turkey's leading journalists, was recently fired from the
country's most noted newspaper after 29 years, for writing in Gatestone what is
taking place in Turkey. He is a Fellow at the Middle East Forum.
© 2021 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.
World Powers need to see Iran as more than a nuclear file -
opinion
The European Union still maintains a fictional distinction between the political
and military wings of Iran’s proxy Hezbollah.
Danny (Dennis) Citrinowicz and Jason M. Brodsky/Jerusalem Post/December 14/ 2021
The nuclear negotiations with Iran continue in Vienna. Regardless of the
outcome, world powers need to view the Iranian challenge as not just a nuclear
file.
In the October statement from the E3 (France, Germany and the United Kingdom)
and the United States, they pledged their “shared determination to address
broader security concerns raised by Iran’s actions in the region.”
But the European Union still maintains a fictional distinction between the
political and military wings of Iran’s proxy Hezbollah. The two units are two
sides of the same terrorist coin, and the international community needs to treat
them as such if it hopes to sustain deals with the Islamic Republic.
All of Hezbollah’s organs answer to the same leadership – meaning Hassan
Nasrallah and the Shura Council, Hezbollah’s highest decision-making body.
Accordingly, there are five subcommittees within the Shura Council – which
include the executive, parliamentary, political, jihad, and judicial councils.
The Jihad Council of Hezbollah provides oversight over military operations.
The interplay among councils can be seen in the active participation of Hashem
Safieddine, head of the Executive Council, at Hezbollah’s military parade in al-Qusayr
in November 2016. That is not to mention the experience that other Shura Council
leadership has in parallel organs. The head of the Judicial Council, Muhammad
Yazbek, has also managed a military command in central Lebanon and has overseen
training camps and weapons smuggling, according to the US government.
Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah Naim Qasim himself has stated that
Hezbollah “has one single leadership, and its name is the decision-making Shura
Council. It manages the political activity, jihad activity, cultural activity
and the social activities.”
Hezbollah’s three wings – military, political and social – maintain a synergy
that enables the organization to present the outward appearance of a legitimate
and pragmatic Lebanese party working to defend Lebanon. However, in practice,
the military power strengthens the political power in the domestic Lebanese
arena, while the organization’s political and social activity is utilized to
provide diplomatic cover for its military-terrorist infrastructure.
In keeping with this structure, Hezbollah’s leaders deny any distinction. For
example, Muhammad Fanish, a senior operative, stated in 1992, “Armed resistance
requires assistance in the political arena.... Our entry into parliament is a
factor that helps the armed resistance against the occupation.”
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The US government has noted that Ibrahim Ali Daher, who serves as chief of
Hezbollah’s Central Finance Unit, “oversees Hezbollah’s overall budget and
spending, including the group’s funding of its terrorist operations and killing
of the group’s opponents.”
This is telling, as the money flows from the same source to all branches.
Members of Hezbollah have also used their platforms as legislators in the
Lebanese parliament to advance the Party of God’s agenda. For example, Muhammad
Hasan Ra’d, according to the US Treasury Department, doubles as a member of
parliament and Hezbollah’s Shura Council, “which directs Hezbollah units to
carry out overseas military and terrorist attacks.”
The relations between Hezbollah’s External Security Organization (ESO) – which
is a subsidiary of the military wing – and the Foreign Relations Department – a
subunit of the political wing – are also instructive.
In 2004, the US Treasury Department claimed that Assad Ahmad Barakat – one of
Hezbollah’s most prominent operatives in South America – was collecting
“sensitive information” about local Arabs traveling to the United States and
Israel. He then transmitted that information to the FRD in Lebanon.
In another case, Washington revealed how FRD operatives Fouzi Fawaz and Abdallah
Tahini eventually became “members of a Hezbollah terrorist cell” in Nigeria
along with Fawaz’s brother, Mustapha, an ESO operative. Fouzi was accused of
possessing “heavy weapons” and being involved in “other terrorism-related
activities.” After a Hezbollah weapons cache was found in the city of Kano in
2013, Nigerian authorities issued arrest warrants for Fouzi and Tahini.
Governments that promote a distinction between the military and political wings
of Hezbollah are ignoring the reality on the ground. The EU and France may want
to keep diplomatic channels open in Lebanon, but adhering to the distinction
sends a clear message of weakness and willful blindness.
In fact, Europe is jeopardizing its own security by adopting this policy.
For instance, in 2014, Germany shuttered the Lebanon Orphan Children Project,
which has links to Hezbollah and the Iran-linked Martyrs Foundation. An
investigation found that the project – with an innocent-sounding name – raised
$4.54 million from 2007-13 for the Martyrs Foundation, which is sanctioned and
has provided financial support to the families of suicide bombers. The
foundation officials, according to the US government, “were directly involved in
Hezbollah operations against Israel during the July-August 2006 conflict.”
In 2018, French police raided the Zahra Center, which has ties to Hezbollah.
During the raids, police found weapons.
Thus, Europe has provided a permissive environment for Hezbollah to survive and
thrive for years.
But there is a growing trend to outlaw the organization in its entirety; the
United Kingdom, Germany and others have made important strides in this regard.
Australia has as well. It is time that the EU and France follow suit.
When the nuclear deal was originally inked in 2015, reports later emerged that
the White House during the Obama administration clipped the wings of the US Drug
Enforcement Administration and the Central Intelligence Agency to prevent them
from taking more aggressive steps to pressure Hezbollah, because of the ongoing
nuclear negotiations. This mistake should not be repeated.
The international community must learn how to contain Iran and its terrorist
proxies on nuclear and nonnuclear matters at the same time.
Iran and its Axis of Resistance have demonstrated dexterity in undertaking
diplomacy and pressure simultaneously.
If the E3 and the United States want to ensure that any nuclear deal with Iran
lasts, they must crack down equally as hard on proxies such as Hezbollah and not
allow Iran to use any agreement as a shield to prevent accountability for other
malign activity.
Blacklisting Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization is one step
that the EU and France can take to show they are serious about addressing
regional security concerns.
*Maj. (ret.) Danny (Dennis) Citrinowicz is a senior research fellow at the Abba
Eban Institute for International Diplomacy in Israel. He has served for 25 years
in a variety of positions in command units of the Israel Defense Intelligence.
He is on Twitter @citrinowicz. Jason M. Brodsky is the policy director of United
Against Nuclear Iran. He is on Twitter @JasonMBrodsky
Biden team should be calling Iran’s bluff in Vienna
Abraham Cooper and Johnnie Moore//Arab News/December 14/ 2021
Despite COVID-19, we have managed to travel to the Middle East repeatedly over
the last year. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Manama, Riyadh, Jerusalem and other
places we heard variations of the same theme from the streets: Iran is deceiving
the White House, again. For nations facing the imminent specter of the Tehran
regime adding nuclear blackmail to its arsenal of destabilizing activities —
while already newly infused with millions of dollars from disappearing sanctions
— it is fair to ask: What has President Joe Biden learned from Vice President
Joe Biden?
Apparently, not much.
Indeed, it appears that President Biden is enabling an unelected envoy, who did
not need to be confirmed in the Senate, to oversee the stripping away of
sanctions. It last happened only 10 days before the reopening of the
negotiations in Vienna last month, when the Biden administration, likely
prompted by Iran envoy Robert Malley, waived sanctions on Tehran selling
electricity to Iraq.
Shamefully, the waiver was issued concurrent to brutal crackdowns by the regime
on those protesting in the country because the rulers could not provide water
and electricity to its own people.
Enraged by the antics in Vienna, Democrats and Republicans in Congress have
finally had it with the Biden administration’s concessions to Iran and
overwhelmingly passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2022 with a direct rebuke of Biden’s Iran policy.
The bill reads: “None of the amounts authorized to be appropriated by this Act
or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense may be made available
to transfer or facilitate a transfer of pallets of currency, currency, or other
items of value to the Government of Iran, any subsidiary of such Government, or
any agent or instrumentality of Iran.”This stunning congressional rebuke to
Biden (from his own party) should be noted as the Israeli Prime Minister Naftali
Bennett descended into Abu Dhabi for his first ever visit on Monday. America’s
allies in the Middle East, in Europe and elsewhere would be mistaken to assume
the Biden administration’s Iran policy is reflective of the will of the American
people. On the contrary, if Biden continues down his present path, he will
witness a drastic rebuke by voters in 2022. Congress will surely then
immediately undo whatever concessions the administration made and may even
punish allies for playing too nice with the Iranian regime through secondary
sanctions.
US lawmakers fear that Tehran is deceiving Biden’s representatives to the point
of a national embarrassment.
Congress sees there is no possibility of the present negotiations producing a
so-called “longer, stronger” deal that also addresses the regime’s destabilizing
behavior, drug trafficking and ballistic missile and drone programs.
US lawmakers fear that Iran is deceiving Biden’s representatives to the point of
a national embarrassment. The Vienna negotiations are a type of Potemkin village
meant to buy the Iranian regime time to speed up its nuclear program, while
creating a monetary windfall along the way so that it can continue to sponsor
terrorist proxies like Hezbollah, the Houthis and Hamas.
And what are we to make of the fact the US delegation in Vienna voluntarily
agreed to relegate itself to a neighboring hotel, ceding to the Europeans,
Russians and Chinese the responsibility of hashing things out?
It is a president’s job to shape American foreign policy, but that supposes a
degree of transparency — tempered by advice and consent from the legislative
branch — and a curious, scrutinizing press.
Biden should be calling Iran’s bluff, using economic coercion through more
sanctions to keep the pressure on (precisely to avoid war), while always making
it clear that there is a credible threat of force if Iran continues down its
present path. This is not saber-rattling or warmongering. Quite the opposite.
Only a muscular foreign policy can put the bullies in their place while
reassuring our allies and an American people still reeling from the Afghan
debacle.
Is this how we project US global power in 2021 to friend and foe, with US allies
from Eastern Europe to the South China Sea twisting in the wind?
It is little wonder a recent poll cited that Biden’s re-election support now
stands at only 22 percent. Only Vice President Kamala Harris’ numbers are worse
— a frigid 12 percent.
*Rabbi Abraham Cooper is the associate dean and director of the Global Social
Action Agenda at the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
Rev. Johnnie Moore is president of the Congress of Christian Leaders and founder
of the KAIROS Company.
Rift between Palestinian and other Arab activists must be
healed
Nadim Shehadi/Arab News/December 14/ 2021
There is an undeclared rift in Palestinian-Arab relations and it needs to be
healed. The disconnect is the result of several events and developments mainly
in the past 50 years, the cumulative effect of which has caused this divide.
Palestinian and Arab activists operate in different bubbles, where information
is compartmentalized and perceptions follow distinct paradigms to such an extent
that they no longer understand each other.
Two different modes — one of resistance, the other of revolution — can best
explain the rift between Palestinian and other Arab activists. The result is two
mindsets that speak distinct languages and follow contradictory narratives with
separate references, values and priorities. This also translates into different
alliances, leaving them in opposite camps.
Palestinian activists are in resistance mode following the pattern of national
liberation and anticolonial movements. Their allies tend to be mainly
anti-Western and anti-imperialist activists in the so-called Global South, as
well as left-wing “progressives” in Europe and the US. Some American
progressives automatically assume that their government’s policies can do no
good and that anti-Americanism is, therefore, justified.
In the Middle East, many Palestinian activists perceive the axis of resistance
led by Iran as being in the same camp. Hezbollah, Hamas and other militias in
Iraq see themselves as part of that camp, too. That group had a big boost in
popularity following events in May, when Israeli settlers took over Palestinian
properties in Sheikh Jarrah, violence was used to prevent Palestinians from
celebrating Ramadan in Jerusalem, Hamas led an attack on Israel, and
Palestinians inside Israel rose in protest for the first time in support of
Jerusalem and Gaza.
Syrian activists are in revolutionary mode, rising against a dictatorial regime
protected by Russia and Iran, as well as the latter’s militias from Iraq and
Afghanistan and, most prominently, Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Lebanese
revolutionaries are protesting against what they perceive as a corrupt political
class and an alliance between a mafia and militia, with the mafia born from
Syria’s control of the country between 1990 and 2005 and protected by the
militia, which invariably means Hezbollah.
There are echoes of this in Iraq, with movements such as Tishreen also
protesting against a corrupt political class supported and protected by militias
allied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is also active in
Yemen through the Houthis. They also see themselves under occupation by these
militias, which have been accused of organizing political assassinations and
destroying state institutions in order to consolidate their grip on society.
Revolutionaries against tyranny see themselves as fighting for freedom and
democracy and expect support from the West, which they perceive as having the
same aims and values. Even when the West lets them down and fails to support
them, they see themselves as part of the camp that will eventually come around
and help. The enemy is led by Russia and Iran, locally represented by the
militias, and authoritarian regimes in a global alliance that includes
Venezuela, North Korea and China.
Palestinian activists are in resistance mode following the pattern of national
liberation and anticolonial movements.
For these reasons, the rift between Palestinians and other Arab activists falls
on a global fault line, with opposing camps following different models, using
different language and values and incompatible references. While there is Arab
sympathy for the Palestinian cause and the Palestinians see themselves as part
of the Arab world, there is little common ground and they struggle to understand
each other, while feeling mutually betrayed.
There is a common generational element, with young people divorced from their
leadership and seeking a different path from their parents’ generation. These
paths, although led by a similar impulse, are, unfortunately, divergent and have
widened the difference between the Palestinian and Arab activists.
The new generation of Palestinians has abandoned the institutions of the
previous generation. This includes not only the Palestinian Liberation
Organization and other groups, but also the idea of a negotiated two-state
solution. Oslo, Madrid and all that is totally irrelevant to them; they seek
global support through the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign, following
the South African model. On that, they find more support with progressives in
the West than among Arab revolutionaries. Arab attempts at resolving their
cause, such as the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative or the Abraham Accords, by
promising normalization with Israel, are seen as a betrayal.
Syrian and other revolutionaries have also divorced themselves from the
priorities of former generations, which saw the Palestinian cause as central to
their aspirations.
Political life was also suspended by emergency laws justified by the conflict
with Israel. The conflict with Israel also legitimized regimes, but the paradigm
shift of the Syrian revolution shook this off and it was seen as part of the
regime’s narrative.
In the Arab spring protests, we saw no burning of US and Israeli flags, which
was formerly associated with every mass protest of the so-called Arab street.
The previous generations tolerated military and authoritarian regimes because
liberation took precedence over liberty.
Diaspora politics is even more extreme and follows different dynamics in places
such as the US, which is so far away that it leads to further differences. In
the US, for example, Syrian activists cannot understand why progressives ignore
their predicament.
Palestinian civilians have suffered the consequences of this rift and we have an
interest in healing it and developing a common language and set of values,
because the lack of these elements will only lead to further isolation and
marginalization of the Palestinian cause. This is our soft underbelly, our
Achilles’ heel, and it cannot be left to be exploited by Iranian militias in
order to increase their power.
• Nadim Shehadi is the executive director of the LAU Headquarters and
Academic Center in New York and an associate fellow of Chatham House in London.
Biden team should be calling Iran’s bluff in Vienna
Abraham Cooper and Johnnie Moore//Arab News/December 14/ 2021
Despite COVID-19, we have managed to travel to the Middle East repeatedly over
the last year. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Manama, Riyadh, Jerusalem and other
places we heard variations of the same theme from the streets: Iran is deceiving
the White House, again. For nations facing the imminent specter of the Tehran
regime adding nuclear blackmail to its arsenal of destabilizing activities —
while already newly infused with millions of dollars from disappearing sanctions
— it is fair to ask: What has President Joe Biden learned from Vice President
Joe Biden?
Apparently, not much.
Indeed, it appears that President Biden is enabling an unelected envoy, who did
not need to be confirmed in the Senate, to oversee the stripping away of
sanctions. It last happened only 10 days before the reopening of the
negotiations in Vienna last month, when the Biden administration, likely
prompted by Iran envoy Robert Malley, waived sanctions on Tehran selling
electricity to Iraq.
Shamefully, the waiver was issued concurrent to brutal crackdowns by the regime
on those protesting in the country because the rulers could not provide water
and electricity to its own people.
Enraged by the antics in Vienna, Democrats and Republicans in Congress have
finally had it with the Biden administration’s concessions to Iran and
overwhelmingly passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2022 with a direct rebuke of Biden’s Iran policy.
The bill reads: “None of the amounts authorized to be appropriated by this Act
or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense may be made available
to transfer or facilitate a transfer of pallets of currency, currency, or other
items of value to the Government of Iran, any subsidiary of such Government, or
any agent or instrumentality of Iran.”This stunning congressional rebuke to
Biden (from his own party) should be noted as the Israeli Prime Minister Naftali
Bennett descended into Abu Dhabi for his first ever visit on Monday. America’s
allies in the Middle East, in Europe and elsewhere would be mistaken to assume
the Biden administration’s Iran policy is reflective of the will of the American
people. On the contrary, if Biden continues down his present path, he will
witness a drastic rebuke by voters in 2022. Congress will surely then
immediately undo whatever concessions the administration made and may even
punish allies for playing too nice with the Iranian regime through secondary
sanctions.
US lawmakers fear that Tehran is deceiving Biden’s representatives to the point
of a national embarrassment.
Congress sees there is no possibility of the present negotiations producing a
so-called “longer, stronger” deal that also addresses the regime’s destabilizing
behavior, drug trafficking and ballistic missile and drone programs.
US lawmakers fear that Iran is deceiving Biden’s representatives to the point of
a national embarrassment. The Vienna negotiations are a type of Potemkin village
meant to buy the Iranian regime time to speed up its nuclear program, while
creating a monetary windfall along the way so that it can continue to sponsor
terrorist proxies like Hezbollah, the Houthis and Hamas.
And what are we to make of the fact the US delegation in Vienna voluntarily
agreed to relegate itself to a neighboring hotel, ceding to the Europeans,
Russians and Chinese the responsibility of hashing things out?
It is a president’s job to shape American foreign policy, but that supposes a
degree of transparency — tempered by advice and consent from the legislative
branch — and a curious, scrutinizing press.
Biden should be calling Iran’s bluff, using economic coercion through more
sanctions to keep the pressure on (precisely to avoid war), while always making
it clear that there is a credible threat of force if Iran continues down its
present path. This is not saber-rattling or warmongering. Quite the opposite.
Only a muscular foreign policy can put the bullies in their place while
reassuring our allies and an American people still reeling from the Afghan
debacle.
Is this how we project US global power in 2021 to friend and foe, with US allies
from Eastern Europe to the South China Sea twisting in the wind?
It is little wonder a recent poll cited that Biden’s re-election support now
stands at only 22 percent. Only Vice President Kamala Harris’ numbers are worse
— a frigid 12 percent.
*Rabbi Abraham Cooper is the associate dean and director of the Global Social
Action Agenda at the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
Rev. Johnnie Moore is president of the Congress of Christian Leaders and founder
of the KAIROS Company.