English LCCC Newsbulletin For
Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For May 18/2023
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
The Bulletin's Link on the lccc Site
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/aaaanewsfor2023/english.may18.23.htm
News Bulletin Achieves
Since 2006
Click Here to enter the LCCC Arabic/English news bulletins Achieves since 2006
Click On The Below Link To Join
Eliasbejjaninews whatsapp group so you get the LCCC Daily A/E Bulletins every
day
https://chat.whatsapp.com/FPF0N7lE5S484LNaSm0MjW
اضغط على الرابط في أعلى للإنضمام
لكروب Eliasbejjaninews
whatsapp group وذلك لإستلام
نشراتي العربية والإنكليزية اليومية بانتظام
Elias Bejjani/Click on the below link to
subscribe to my youtube channel
الياس بجاني/اضغط على الرابط في أسفل للإشتراك في موقعي ع اليوتيوب
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOOSioLh1GE3C1hp63Camw
15 آذار/2023
Bible Quotations For today
‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good
news to the whole creation
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint
Mark 16/15-18:”‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole
creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who
does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who
believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new
tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly
thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they
will recover.’
.
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese &
Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on May 17-18/2023
The May 17, 1983, agreement between Lebanon and Israel was
a fair opportunity for peace that Lebanon lost/With the Agreement text/Elias
Bejjani/May 17/2023
Al-Rahi receives invitation to meet Macron in Paris
Rahi meets Hajjar in Bkerki
Saudi Ambassador welcomes Social Affairs Minister in Yarzeh
Azour refuses to be 'confrontation candidate'
Bassil-opposition deal 'unlikely', Hezbollah 'won't agree' to Azour election
FPM MP says no agreement with LF yet
Reports: Safa has not met with Bassil
Report: Foreign nations discussing shape of new Lebanese govt.
Lebanon launches strategy to control forest fires
Sami Gemayel: Opposition will cling to Mouawad if Hezbollah clings to Franjieh
Sami Gemayel denies promoting Azour, says vote boycott an option
Bou Habib meets Syrian counterpart in Jeddah
Bridging the divide: Lebanese, Syrian FMs work toward refugee solutions
Mikdad: Syria welcomes any Arab role that achieves goals of joint action to face
challenges
PM Mikati discusses meeting with Saudi Crown Prince, Kingdom's role in an
interview with Al Riyadh newspaper
Mikati meets Berri over Arab League summit
Mikati follows up on prison conditions with concerned ministers, broaches
developments with Grand Serail visitors
Salam holds bilateral talks with KSA counterpart
When greed takes over: How pharmacies turned lifeline into profit game
Governor's absence: Unraveling controversy surrounding French arrest warrant
From waves to change: Mayssa's struggle against extremism in Sidon
US affirms commitment to sanctions, won't normalize with Syria's Assad: State
Department to LBCI
RDCL: Nomination of a new Governor for the Central Bank of Lebanon Immediately
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on May 17-18/2023
Bashar Assad is back, and the
Arab League’s got him
Arab foreign ministers meet ahead of Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia
Syrian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Assad to Attend Arab Summit
US affirms commitment to sanctions, won't normalize with Syria's Assad: State
Department to LBCI
Syria's Assad to steal spotlight at Arab summit after years in the cold
Why Hamas was not Israel's target in Gaza airstrikes - this time
Hamas calls on Palestinians to confront Israeli victory parade in Jerusalem
MPs debate how to challenge Israel's judicial reform and push for regional peace
Russia confirms Black Sea grain deal renewed for two months, says 'distortions'
remain
Ukraine Denies Russia Destroyed Patriot Missile Defense System
Ukraine Tells Chinese Envoy It Won’t Accept Ceding Land to Russia
Hungary to Block Further EU Aid to Ukraine, Minister Says
British missiles are about to destroy Putin’s overstretched supply lines
European nations back system to calculate damage Russia caused in Ukraine
Sudan, Palestine at the Top of Jeddah Summit Files
Iranian Navy Commander Urges Boosting Cooperation with Russia
Türkiye Opposition Says Irregularities at Thousands of Ballot Boxes
UN Seeks Nearly $2.6 Bln for Humanitarian Needs in Sudan
Biden ‘Confident’ There Will Be No US Debt Default
G-7 leaders likely to focus on the war in Ukraine and tensions in Asia at summit
in Hiroshima
Titles For
The Latest
English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on May 17-18/2023
The US has a new friend in the Mediterranean that could help it isolate Russia,
but not everybody in NATO is happy about it/Constantine Atlamazoglou/Business
Insider/Wed, May 17, 2023
Iran’s Inflationary Quagmire: Economic Challenges and Potential Instability/Saeed
Ghasseminejad/FDD/May 17/2023
Biden Cowed by China's Aggression/Gordon G. Chang/Gatestone Institute./May 17,
2023
A Global Pandemic: The Jihadist Rape of Christian Women/Raymond Ibrahim/Gatestone
Institute/May17/2023
Erdogan scents victory as Turkish presidential election goes to a runoff/Yasar
Yakis/Arab News/May 17/2023
Latest English LCCC Lebanese &
Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on May 17-18/2023
The May 17, 1983, agreement between
Lebanon and Israel was a fair opportunity for peace that Lebanon lost/With the
Agreement text
Elias Bejjani/May 17/2023
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/118293/118293/
Today, Lebanon remembers the May 17 peace agreement that was signed by the
Lebanese and Israeli states on May 17, 1983, during the reign of President Amin
Gemayel, and Prime Minister Shafiq Al-Wazzan, after through and arduous
negotiations, through which the skilled Lebanese negotiators managed to succeed
par excellence in consolidating and preserving all the elements of sovereignty
and rights. And most importantly securing complete unconditional, peaceful
withdrawal of the Israeli army from all Lebanese territories.
The agreement was supported by the majority of the Lebanese people, the
Presidency of the Republic, the Council of Ministers, and the parliament. It was
also welcomed by most Arab countries, and all countries of the free world. It
was indeed a great and irreplaceable opportunity to establish true peace in the
Middle East region in general, and between Lebanon and Israel in particular.
However, through its Local cancerous influence on armed Lebanese groups,
mercenaries, merchants of the false resistance, leftists and fundamentalists,
the Syrian Baathist regime thwarted the agreement and forcibly prevented its
implementation. The Syrian regime did not want Lebanon to have peace with Israel
in a bid to maintain its barbaric occupation and hegemony.
The Syrian Baathist regime, as well as the current Iranian occupier continue
striving to keep Lebanon an open arena for absurd wars, a mailbox for their
fiery terrorist messages, and a negotiating and bargaining chip. Syria and Iran
falsely claim to be anti - Israel, and use this camouflaging and deceiving tag
as an excuse to freely oppress their people and remain in power.
The May 17 agreement, was and still is a need, because the Lebanese want peace,
stability and prosperity for their country, just as the Egypt, Jordan, Sudan
Morocco, and the majority of the Arabian Gulf states did through peace
agreements with Israel. However the Baathist Syria and Iranian mullahs' regimes,
along with all merchants of the resistance, the Leftist and fundamentalists,
thwarted the May 17 agreement by force, and they are still continuing to impose
the same dirty plot on Lebanon and the Lebanese, but with different faces and
under new malicious titles.
Certainly, Lebanon will not obtain from Israel at any time, and under any
circumstances a peace agreement with better terms and conditions than the May 17
agreement one, therefore all those mercenary mouthpieces who attack the
agreement must shut up and swallow their sharp tongues that are only fluent in a
wooden language and in all arts of lies, hypocrisy, blasphemy, fabrication, and
transgression against others... at the forefront of those are Iran, Hezbollah
and their Lebanese mercenaries.
Yes, Lebanon has the right, legally and nationally, for striving to preserve its
interests, security, sovereignty and independence, and that was exactly the main
goal of the May 17 agreement, which unfortunately was thwarted by the Syrian
regime, the resistance merchants and terrorists.
In conclusion, All Patriotic Lebanese leaders are required to put an end to
their hypocrisy, trading with the blood and the livelihood the Lebanese, and
work hard to serve both their people and country through forging real peace with
all countries, including the state of Israel, as the majority of Arab countries
did. And YES, The Lebanese have the right to enjoy peace and tranquility in a
state that resembles them, and does not resemble the axis of evil, Syrian and
Iranian regimes.
Al-Rahi receives invitation to meet Macron in
Paris
Naharnet/Wed, May 17, 2023
Maronite Patriarch Beshra al-Rahi has received an official invitation to Paris
to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron, Bkerki's spokesperson Walid
Ghayyad said. Ghayyad told MTV that the date of the visit has not yet been set.
He said that al-Rahi will not speak in Paris "in favor of or against any
candidate," but will listen to what the French President has to say. Al-Rahi and
Macron will discuss the general situation in Lebanon, the presidential file, and
the refugees' file, Ghayyad said.
Rahi meets Hajjar in Bkerki
NNA/Wed, May 17, 2023
Maronite Patriarch, Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, is currently meeting in Bkerki
with Caretaker Minister of Social Affairs, Hector Hajjar.
Saudi Ambassador welcomes Social Affairs Minister in Yarzeh
NNA/Wed, May 17, 2023
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Bukhari, on Wednesday welcomed at his Yarzeh
residence, Caretaker Minister of Social Affairs, Hector Al-Hajjar. The meeting
reportedly discussed the latest developments on the Lebanese and regional
arenas, the ministry’s plans, and the best means to boost cooperation between
KSA and Lebanon, especially in the areas of social care and issues of common
concern.
Azour refuses to be 'confrontation candidate'
Naharnet/Wed, May 17, 2023
Ex-minister Jihad Azour has refused to be a “confrontation” presidential
candidate, a media report said on Wednesday. “He has informed the relevant
parties that he will not accept to be elected except through consensus and that
success should be guaranteed,” al-Akhbar newspaper reported.
He said that he would be “carrying an economic program that requires an
appropriate environment in order to be implemented” and that “if the coming
period will be quarrelsome he prefers not to be part of such a scene.”
Bassil-opposition deal 'unlikely', Hezbollah 'won't agree'
to Azour election
Naharnet/Wed, May 17, 2023
Sources close to the Shiite Duo have ruled out a presidential agreement between
the opposition and Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil, seeing as such a
deal would come at the expense of the latter’s relation with Hezbollah.
“Should the FPM leader decide to agree with (Lebanese Forces chief Samir) Geagea
and his allies over a common candidate, be him Jihad Azour or someone else, that
will lead to severing the last fine thread that is still linking him to
Hezbollah,” the sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper in remarks published
Wednesday. “Accordingly, there would be a shift to a different political
alignment and this is an adventure that Bassil is unlikely to engage in,” the
sources added.
Separately, the daily reported that it is impossible for Hezbollah to agree to
Azour’s election as president and that “the maximum flexibility that it might
show is non-opposition to his appointment as central bank governor.”
FPM MP says no agreement with LF yet
Naharnet/Wed, May 17, 2023
"There is no agreement yet with the Lebanese Forces," a Free Patriotic Movement
MP said. MP Jimmy Jabbour explained that there is an ongoing dialogue with the
LF and that the current situation requires an agreement on a presidential
candidate. The LF and the FPM have been holding talks over the presidential
file, and MPs from both parties had said talks are in an advanced stage. Jabbour
added that former finance minister Jihad Azour is not a fait accompli. Media
reports have been reporting that the chances of Azour have surged as he is not
vetoed by the LF, the FPM, or the Progressive Socialist Party. "We are keen on
Lebanese unity, and we don't want a provocative candidate, especially someone
who would provoke the Shiite duo," Jabbour said, although he admitted the FPM's
disagreement with Hezbollah.
The FPM lawmaker also denied an alleged meeting between FPM chief Jebran Bassil
and Hezbollah liaison and coordination official Wafiq Safa.
Reports: Safa has not met with Bassil
Naharnet/Wed, May 17, 2023
Hezbollah liaison and coordination officer Wafiq Safa has not met with Free
Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil, contrary to the latest reports in this
regard, media reports said. “No appointment was set and no appointment was
canceled and there is even no communication,” MTV reported. “The relation
between Hezbollah and the FPM is still the same: cold without being severed,”
the TV network added. Reports had said that political circles were “betting on
the outcome” of a meeting between Safa and Bassil that was supposed to be held
on Tuesday. Al-Joumhouria newspaper had quoted “sources close to the FPM” as
saying that the meeting was going to be held “at Hezbollah’s request.”Hezbollah
wants to “exchange opinions over the results of the latest consultations,
especially those related to the presidential election,” the sources said. Safa
“will carry a host of questions and answers over the outcome of the foreign
mediations, especially the Saudi proposals that were carried by Ambassador (Walid)
Bukhari over the past few days,” the sources added. The sources also noted that
the talks would tackle administrative and financial files, especially the
central bank governor post in light of Riad Salameh’s looming term expiry.
Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah had on Friday stressed that the
caretaker Cabinet should not name a new central bank governor nor extend
Salameh’s term before the election of a new president.
Report: Foreign nations discussing shape of new Lebanese
govt.
Naharnet/Wed, May 17, 2023
Despite all the pessimism and conflicting reports in Beirut, the issue of the
Lebanese presidency has been settled by the influential foreign forces, a media
report said on Wednesday. “They are now discussing the government and its shape
and line-up,” ad-Diyar newspaper quoted unnamed sources as saying.
“They have finished discussing the standards that should be adopted, most
importantly that no former ministers should be appointed, while taking into
consideration the elements of public affairs experience and competency,” the
sources said. In this regard, two government formats are being considered:
“The first would be a national unity government representing the political
parties through figures who would be reassuring to them rather than members,”
the sources said. “The second would be a techno-political government totally
different than those witnessed by Lebanon in the past, comprising figures with
experience in public political affairs and experts who are not distant from
politics and its affairs,” the sources added. The sources also noted that the
influential foreign nations would have “veto” rights regarding the so-called
sovereign ministerial portfolios and that the army commander and central bank
governor posts would be subject to “strict international conditions” without
being “100% loyal to any domestic party.”
Lebanon launches strategy to control forest fires
Najia Housari/May 17, 2023
BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Environment Ministry is seeking to reduce the risk of
recurrent forest fires and their severity through an updated national strategy,
which was launched on Wednesday. Nasser Yassin, caretaker minister of
environment, said that work was being carried out “under financially,
administratively, and politically unfavorable conditions” to reduce the risk of
forests and woodlands catching on fire. Yassin pointed out that the success of
the strategy, however, is based on the cooperation of “local people who are
proud of their areas, environment, and the health of their sons and daughters.”
The awareness-raising work, he said, has brought “people closer to their
environment.” He referred to “the launch of an emergency fund to support
firefighting efforts,” and said: “We are working on developing its law and
management methods with the World Bank.” Yassin added: “There is also a project
worth $4.5 million, a gift from the Global Environment Facility, to support the
efforts of local communities and regional groups to enhance their readiness and
preparedness to reduce the risks of fires and extinguish them.”
Melanie Hauenstein, resident representative of the UN Development Program in
Lebanon, said: “Forest fires are not only an environmental concern, but their
impact is also noticeable in many other sectors.” Hauenstein added: “The UN
program has equipped dedicated operations rooms in the Lebanese provinces with
the necessary tools and supplies to ensure their proper functioning in the event
of forest fires and other crises. We have supported the establishment of
specially trained first responder teams to deal with forest fires and equipped
them with the necessary tools and equipment.”
She said that she, in cooperation with the UK ambassador, the social affairs
minister, and the director-general of civil defense, opened a civil defense
facility in Jezzine two days ago. This facility, she added, “aims to protect the
beautiful pine forests in Jezzine and is the largest of its kind in the Middle
East.”
She stressed that protection of the forests “directly benefits 300 Lebanese
families who own pine trees, 40 farmers and their families who invest in
collecting and processing pine, 120 workers in the pine industry, and 65 civil
defense and volunteer personnel.”Forest fires have not spared any Lebanese
region from damage to pine and fruit trees, including the regions of North
Lebanon, Mount Lebanon, and South Lebanon. The environment ministry proposed to
the previous parliament the establishment of a strategy to manage the resources
resulting from the quarry and crusher sector and a new legislative framework for
it, but it was never implemented. According to the National Council for
Scientific Research in Lebanon, approximately 14,460 forest fires have been
recorded in the past five years, resulting in the loss of thousands of hectares
of forest cover in Lebanon. Brig. Gen. Raymond Khattar, director-general of the
Lebanese Civil Defense, said: “Rapidly changing weather patterns may make
conditions favorable for forest and vegetation fires. However, this does not
rule out the possibility of further intentional arson, which has been indicated
by repeated signs of deliberate ignition, or what has become known as purposeful
fires.”
The impact of climate change is not the only thing that has marred Lebanon’s
natural beauty. The directorate of geographical affairs in the army conducted a
survey two years ago, covering over 80 percent of quarry and crusher sites
operating without permits or with permits obtained through the intervention of
powerful forces in Lebanon or as a result of collusion in facilitating and
organizing violations. The survey revealed “huge excesses in terms of depth,”
with some excavations reaching a depth of 70 meters, as well as distortions and
mountain cutting amounting to hundreds of meters in height. The affected areas
across all Lebanese lands reached approximately 65 million square meters,
distributed among 1,356 quarries, crushers, and excavators. The governorate of
Mount Lebanon ranked first in terms of the area and number of quarries and
crushers, especially in the districts of Aley, Metn, Jbeil, and Kesrouan, where
the affected areas exceeded 15 million square meters.
Sami Gemayel: Opposition will cling to Mouawad if Hezbollah
clings to Franjieh
Naharnet/Wed, May 17, 2023
Kataeb Party chief Sami Gemayel stressed Wednesday that it is important to speed
up the election but not to surrender to Hezbollah's candidate. "We will not give
up," Gemayel said, adding that he will boycott any session that would elect
Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh. "We will secure the blocking one-third in such
an electoral session." Gemayel considered that it is not acceptable that the
opposition change its candidate, MP Michel Mouawad, while Hezbollah is clinging
to its candidate. "We would go to a session with two candidates who are
acceptable to both parties but we will not secure quorum for Hezbollah's
candidate," the lawmaker said.
Sami Gemayel denies promoting Azour, says vote boycott an
option
Naharnet/Wed, May 17, 2023
Kataeb Party chief Sami Gemayel has denied that he is mediating between Lebanese
Forces leader Samir Geagea and Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil in
the presidential file. “I’m also not promoting (the candidacy) of Jihad Azour
and I have not visited Bassil nor talked to him, but the communication channels
between us are open,” Gemayel said in remarks to MTV. “Hezbollah is saying that
it will keep blocking the vote to impose its candidate, and we tell them that we
will block the vote to prevent them from imposing their candidate,” Gemayel
added. “We will exploit any gap to confront Hezbollah and Bassil is before an
important test,” the Kataeb leader went on to say. He added: “We are in a state
of confrontation and we do not accept the choice of surrendering to
Hezbollah.”As for the candidate Chibli Mallat, who was proposed Monday by
Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat, Gemayel described him as a “friend.”“He
was my professor at university and I support adding him to the proposed names,”
Gemayel added. “We would vote for the army commander if the constitution gets
amended, on the condition that he declare his political platform,” Kataeb’s
leader went on to say.
Bou Habib meets Syrian counterpart in Jeddah
Naharnet/Wed, May 17, 2023
Caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib met Wednesday with his Syrian
counterpart Faisal al-Miqdad on the sidelines of the Arab foreign ministers'
meeting in Jeddah. "The meeting was cordial," al-Miqdad said, adding that all
refugees are welcome back to Syria and should return. Al-Miqdad also said that
any Lebanese official is welcome in Syria, after a reporter mentioned that a
Lebanese delegation would visit Syria soon. Syria returned to the Arab League,
after it agreed earlier this month to reinstate it, ending a 12-year suspension
and taking another step toward bringing Syrian President Bashar Assad, a
long-time regional pariah, back into the fold.
Bridging the divide: Lebanese, Syrian FMs work toward
refugee solutions
LBCI/Wed, May 17, 2023
Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib met on Wednesday with his Syrian
counterpart, Faisal Mekdad, on the sidelines of the preparatory meetings for the
Arab Summit in Jeddah. During their meeting, Syrian FM affirmed that the ties
between Syria and Lebanon are close and that coordination between both countries
continues in various areas of mutual concern. Furthermore, Bou Habib said they
"discussed the issue of refugees in Lebanon," mentioning that "the atmosphere
was positive, and there were no contentious issues."However, Mekdad emphasized
the necessity of Syrian refugees returning to their home country, and said that
"this return requires resources." "Syria welcomes all its citizens," Mekdad
stressed. He also stated, "Whether Western countries encourage their return or
not, they are welcome in their homeland." Moreover, he pointed out that "asylum
is a burden, but Syria wants all its refugee sons and daughters to return to
their homeland so that this burden falls on the country itself and not on
others." For his part, Bou Habib confirmed that several issues were agreed upon.
These issues will be further discussed in specialized committees within the Arab
League, including the Syrian refugee crisis, drug-related concerns, and other
matters.
Mikdad: Syria welcomes any Arab role that achieves goals of
joint action to face challenges
SANA/Wed, May 17, 2023
Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Dr. Fayssal Mikdad affirmed that the Arabs
welcome the Syrian role and that there are no differences over issues related to
Syria. Mikdad said , in a press statement following the preparatory meeting of
Arab foreign ministers in Jeddah “We work together with our Arab brothers, and
all Arabs welcome the Syrian role and there are no differences over issues
related to Syria,’. “All the projects and laws presented during the meeting
reflected our views to overcome the crisis and respect the role played by Syria
at the regional and international levels” Mikdad added.
Mikdad said, “We are comfortable with the atmosphere of the meetings, and we
welcome any Arab role that achieves the goals of joint action.”The Minister
added, “We look forward to the Arab role being effective in helping the Syrian
refugees return to their country, and there is no doubt that the reconstruction
process will facilitate the return of these refugees.”.Mikdad concluded “We
thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the role it has played during the past
months in order to activate joint Arab action."--SANA
PM Mikati discusses meeting with Saudi Crown Prince,
Kingdom's role in an interview with Al Riyadh newspaper
LBCI/Wed, May 17, 2023
In anticipation of the upcoming Arab Summit in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati sat down for an interview with Al Riyadh
newspaper to discuss his visit to the kingdom and his impressions of Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman's personality and interest in the Lebanese file.
"The meeting I had with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia was characterized by frankness. He expressed his support for Lebanon in
overcoming its crisis and backing its institutions, but conditioned it on the
implementation of the necessary structural reforms and the full commitment of
Lebanese institutions, particularly in the election of a new president for
Lebanon," stated Prime Minister Mikati. The full interview will be published in
Al Riyadh Newspaper on Thursday May 18. It was evident in his approach that the
priority lies in the Lebanese people fulfilling their duties and undertaking
fundamental reforms while preventing any threats to the security and safety of
the Kingdom. In this regard, the Lebanese government is taking all the required
measures to prevent any recurrence of threats to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or
any other Arab state originating from Lebanon. "The developments taking place in
the Kingdom represent a real constructive revolution by implementing reform
initiatives that have redefined the concept of modernization and achieved
remarkable leaps that are recognized by all," added Mikati. The regional
understandings reached by the Kingdom are expected to contribute to establishing
stability in the region and advance the process of progress and development.
Regarding the Lebanese file, Prime Minister Mikati highlighted the communication
he had with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during which he sensed the Crown
Prince's keenness on Lebanon's security and stability, as well as the continuity
of the humanitarian support provided by Saudi Arabia to the Lebanese people. He
expressed his confidence that the Kingdom has been and will continue to be the
big brother of Lebanon, striving in all Arab and international forums to
safeguard its security, stability, and the unity of its people.
Mikati meets Berri over Arab League summit
Naharnet/Wed, May 17, 2023
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri met
Wednesday in Ain el-Tineh over the upcoming Arab League Summit in Jeddah.
"We discussed the points that I will raise at the Summit," Mikati said. "The
meeting, like usual, was positive," he added. Mikati will address the Arab
countries in the summit on Friday and is expected to urge them to help
crisis-hit Lebanon. He will likely meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on
the summit's sidelines.
Mikati follows up on prison conditions with concerned
ministers, broaches developments with Grand Serail visitors
NNA/Wed, May 17, 2023
Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Wednesday chaired at the Grand Serail
a meeting by the ministerial committee tasked to follow up on prison conditions
in Lebanon. After the meeting, MP Moussa said: "During the meeting, all matters
related to the prison file were raised, such as medicine, nutrition, unconvicted
prisoners, speeding up trials, as well as legal and judicial issues.”"The
meeting was good; most importantly, there was an appropriate distribution of
tasks and clarification of many matters. Every minister will do what is required
of him, and if necessary, we will meet again to evaluate the results."
Mikati then met with Caretaker Minister of Education, Judge Abbas al-Halabi,
with whom he discussed an array of ministerial affairs. Mikati later received a
delegation representing the "National Moderation Bloc", with whom he discussed
some developmental issues in Akkar region.
After the meeting, MP Walid Al-Baarini stressed the need to fill presidential
vacuum “because every day of delay will push Lebanon towards total destruction."
The Prime Minister also had an audience with the Chairman of "IDAL" Board of
Directors, Mazen Sweid, who visited him with an accompanying delegation. After
the meeting, Sweid said, "Today, we announced the launch of the trade exchange
platform with Iraq.” In response to a question, Sweid said: "We’ve found a
mechanism to pay Iraqis in exchange for oil through Lebanese products and
investment facilities in Lebanon, and God willing, this platform show results
with time.” Mikati then welcomed President of the Lebanese National Higher
Conservatory of Music, Dr. Hiba Kawas, who said after the meeting: “I came to
thank His Excellency, PM Mikati, for all the support and care he’s given to the
conservatory amid all the difficult circumstances we’ve endured.” "We’ve begun
to see tangible results after nine months of hard work -- thanks to the
patronage of Premiere Mikati. This conservatory purveys a civilized and
beautiful image of Lebanon, and it will pave the way for musical diplomacy with
the world; God willing, it will become one of the pillars of Lebanon’s economy,”
Kawas added.
Salam holds bilateral talks with KSA counterpart
NNA/Wed, May 17, 2023
Caretaker Minister of Economy and Trade, Amin Salam, on Wednesday held a lengthy
bilateral meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim, in
Jeddah, with whom he discussed economic issues, in addition to bilateral
relations between the two countries.
When greed takes over: How pharmacies turned lifeline into
profit game
LBCI/Wed, May 17, 2023
In a time when several pharmacists have been evading regulations and crossing
ethical boundaries, turning the profession into a business, the daily lives of
Lebanese citizens have turned into a constant search for affordable medication.
But "not every time will you get what you need."
Hunger to achieve illicit profits at the expense of patients' medication has
backfired on its perpetrators. Here is what happened at one of the Lebanese
pharmacies. Closure with red wax and legal action were taken after the Ministry
of Health discovered that the pharmacy was not adhering to the daily price index
set by the MedLeb application. What happened in the pharmacy on Tuesday served
as a warning bell for all pharmacists. However, after confirming that the
pharmacist manipulated drug prices and sold them at a higher price than the drug
price index, the ministry warned that any pharmacy following its lead would face
legal prosecution. The President of the Pharmacists Syndicate rushed to
circulate the news of the Ministry of Health's closure of the pharmacy located
in the Bouchriyeh area through the pharmacists' Whatsapp groups, demanding
compliance with the laws and price index. Otherwise, the Syndicate will not
provide any protection. Did the commitment and adherence to the official price
index spread among pharmacists? To ensure that the pharmacy or any pharmacy in
Lebanon adheres to the drug price index set by the Health Ministry, you should
download the MedLeb Patient Guide on your mobile phone, which enables you to
access all the information related to medication, especially its selling price.
However, some pharmacies are 100% committed to the ministry's index, especially
after the Syndicate's circulation, while others simply say that medications are
not available.
Governor's absence: Unraveling controversy surrounding French arrest warrant
LBCI/Wed, May 17, 2023
After the Governor of the Central Bank, Riad Salameh failed to attend the
investigation session in France, French judge Aude Buresi issued an arrest
warrant against him.
- But did she respect the proper procedures?
Wrong
The warrant violates legal procedures because Salameh has not been officially
notified.
Notification is one thing, and taking notes is another.
- Does the warrant automatically mean that Salameh is accused before the French
judiciary?
Wrong
The French judiciary has not accused Salameh. This means that Salameh has no
status in the lawsuit and cannot challenge the warrant.
- Does the issuance of the warrant by the French judiciary mean that it has
become international?
Wrong
For the warrant to become international, it must be disseminated through
Interpol using a Red Notice, which has not happened yet. If it happens, the
warrant applies only to member states of Interpol. - If the warrant is not
disseminated through Interpol and is only sent to the Lebanese judiciary for
execution, what happens? Lebanon will not arrest Salameh because Lebanon does
not extradite its citizens.
- Does issuing an arrest warrant in France affect the Lebanese investigation
into the Governor's case?
Wrong
The two investigations are separate.
At the end of July, the term of the Governor of the Central Bank ends.
From waves to change: Mayssa's struggle against extremism
in Sidon
LBCI/Wed, May 17, 2023
All that Mayssa, a citizen of Sidon, wanted was to visit the popular beach of
her city, read a book, and enjoy a cup of coffee with her husband. But how can
Mayssa find tranquility in the presence of extremists, regardless of their
religion? What happened to Mayssa spread like wildfire on social media
platforms. “I always wear a swimsuit when I go to the beach with my husband,”
she said. “Two people approached us and introduced themselves as Sheikhs,”
Mayssa continued. She said that those Sheikhs had warned them against remaining
on the beach while wearing swimsuits because they did not understand local
customs. Many girls and women supported Mayssa in what she experienced by
sharing their pictures in swimwear. Only MP Osama Saad tweeted in condemnation
of what happened. The head of Sidon Municipality, in a call with LBCI, affirmed
that Sidon is open to everyone and that each person has their freedom. He added
that the municipality does not prevent anyone from visiting the public beach in
Sidon until its official opening by the municipality, under its supervision,
starting from the first of July. In a country like Lebanon, one component of the
population can't impose its beliefs on others. All attempts to change the face
of Lebanon into a more gloomy one have failed
US affirms commitment to sanctions, won't normalize with
Syria's Assad: State Department to LBCI
LBCI/Wed, May 17, 2023
During a press briefing on Wednesday, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson
Vedant Patel informed LBCI that the United States reaffirmed its commitment to
its core sanctions principles regarding Syria and emphasized to the Arab world
that it does not intend to normalize relations with the Assad regime. "We have
been consulting with our regional partners regarding their plans. Countering the
trafficking of Captagon in Syria is a shared objective among many in the Arab
world, and we will continue to collaborate with them on this issue," added
Vedant. "However, we want to emphasize that we do not support normalization, and
we do not view it as an objective or a goal. Nevertheless, we will maintain
close consultation with our Arab partners." Regarding Lebanon, Patel reaffirmed
the commitment to the previously issued statement, which called for the election
of a corruption-free president. "I don't have any updates or specific actions to
provide. Our statement continues to reflect our desire for the people to elect a
leader who can govern and guide the country during these challenging times," he
concluded.
RDCL: Nomination of a new Governor for the Central Bank of
Lebanon Immediately
NNA/Wed, May 17, 2023
Following an extraordinary and urgent meeting of its Board of Directors, RDCL
considered that Lebanon cannot afford, from an ethical, and from a reputation,
and from an international compliance perspectives, to have a governor of its
central bank subject to an arrest warrant.
It is therefore imperative that the relevant competent authorities immediately
take all necessary measures in the face of this dangerous and exceptional
situation, which puts the supreme interest of our nation at risk, and to appoint
a new governor of the central bank who would immediately pave the way for much
more transparency, good governance, sound monetary policy, to recreate
confidence, and carry out an agreement with the international monetary fund, to
protect the Lebanese and their legal private sector from the consequences and
repercussions that this decision could generate. It is also urgent and high time
for the parliament to elect a president of the republic, and put our national
institutions back on track. Time is of essence.
Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports
And News published
on May 17-18/2023
Bashar
Assad is back, and the Arab League’s got him
Clifford D. May/The Washington Times/May 17/2023
Is there, anywhere in the world, a dictator with bloodier hands than Syrian
leader Bashar al-Assad? The competition is intense, I realize. But over the past
dozen years, since protesters first took to the streets of Damascus to demand
basic freedoms, Mr. Assad has been slaughtering his fellow Syrians at a steady
clip. Estimates of the death toll now reach half a million. Of Syria’s prewar
population of 22 million, more than 10 million have either fled abroad — more
than a million to Europe — or been displaced within the country. Aleppo and
other ancient cities have been reduced to rubble.
To pay his bills, Mr. Assad is known to be deeply involved in drug trafficking —
in particular, Captagon, an amphetamine — in much of the Middle East. And, of
course, Mr. Assad remains a client — “satrap” might be the more precise term —
of the Islamic Republic of Iran, whose forces, in league with those of Russian
dictator Vladimir Putin, have helped keep him in power. He is now being rewarded
for all this. The Arab League has announced that Syria’s membership, suspended
in 2001, will be restored and that Mr. Assad will attend its next summit in
Saudi Arabia on May 19. Will there be handshakes, hugs and backslapping? The
Arab League has 22 members. Some are moderate; many are not. None can be called
a democracy. Some are rich (thanks to oil and gas); most are poor. All are
majority Muslim, and most are majority Sunni. More than 400 million people live
in the nations of the Arab League, though not all are Arabs.
Arab foreign ministers meet ahead of Arab League
summit in Saudi Arabia
BEIRUT (AP)/Wed, May 17, 2023
Arab foreign ministers met Wednesday in Saudi Arabia ahead of the Arab League's
annual summit in the kingdom to discuss the upcoming gathering's agenda and
draft resolutions. This year's summit, starting Friday in the city of Jeddah,
will mark the readmittance of war-torn Syria into the 22-member league, after a
12-year suspension. Syria's membership was frozen following Syrian President
Bashar Assad's brutal crackdown on the 2011 mass protests against his rule. The
country quickly descended into a brutal civil war that has killed nearly half a
million people and displaced half of the country’s pre-war population of 23
million. Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad held bilateral meetings this week
in the kingdom with several of his counterparts as Damascus continues to appeal
for much-needed investment in the war-torn country — crippled by the conflict
and Western sanctions — and has moved to restore ties with Saudi Arabia, Jordan,
Egypt, and Iraq. Syria’s return to the Arab fold comes as Damascus is also
trying to amend ties with Turkey, a key backer of the armed Syrian opposition
groups in the country’s northwest. But a few Arab countries remain skeptical of
Syria's return to the league, primarily Qatar. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh
Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, said Wednesday that his country opposes
Syria's return but that it doesn't want to stand “against the Arab consensus.”
Each Arab country, however, can unilaterally normalize relations with Syria, he
said. For that to happen from Qatar's perspective, Syria needs to go “through a
just and comprehensive solution" to its conflict, Sheikh Mohammed added. The
summit also comes as Arab governments are scrambling to resolve the conflict in
Sudan between the military, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the rival
paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The
fighting in the East African country, which broke out in mid-April, has left
over 600 people dead and displaced tens of thousands.
Syrian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Assad to
Attend Arab Summit
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 17/2023
A senior Syrian official affirmed on Wednesday that Syrian President Bashar
Assad will be in Jeddah to take part in Friday’s Arab League summit.Assistant
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Susan, said in remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat that
“Syrian President Bashar Assad will be present in Jeddah”.For the first time in
12 years, Syria will participate in the preparatory meeting of senior officials
for the Arab League Summit, scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia on 19 May.
Susan said it is common sense to have the summit held in politically-moderate
Saudi Arabia. In his remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Susan said that everyone wants
the summit to be a prelude for a new phase. “The importance of holding the
summit in Saudi Arabia is unquestionable because it is evident and clear. Saudi
Arabia, with its weight and moderate policies, everyone hopes that the Jeddah
summit would pave the way for a new phase amid atmospheres of optimism.”
US affirms commitment to sanctions, won't
normalize with Syria's Assad: State Department to LBCI
LBCI/Wed, May 17, 2023
During a press briefing on Wednesday, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson
Vedant Patel informed LBCI that the United States reaffirmed its commitment to
its core sanctions principles regarding Syria and emphasized to the Arab world
that it does not intend to normalize relations with the Assad regime. "We have
been consulting with our regional partners regarding their plans. Countering the
trafficking of Captagon in Syria is a shared objective among many in the Arab
world, and we will continue to collaborate with them on this issue," added
Vedant. "However, we want to emphasize that we do not support normalization, and
we do not view it as an objective or a goal. Nevertheless, we will maintain
close consultation with our Arab partners." Regarding Lebanon, Patel reaffirmed
the commitment to the previously issued statement, which called for the election
of a corruption-free president. "I don't have any updates or specific actions to
provide. Our statement continues to reflect our desire for the people to elect a
leader who can govern and guide the country during these challenging times," he
concluded.
Syria's Assad to steal spotlight at Arab summit
after years in the cold
RIYADH(Reuters)/Aziz El Yaakoubi/Wed, May 17, 2023
- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a pariah for more than a decade, is expected
to steal the spotlight at Friday's Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia, where he
will rub shoulders with regional leaders who once backed his war foes.
Ostracised by most Arab states following his crackdown on protests against his
rule in 2011 and the ensuing civil war, his government's return to the bloc is a
signal that his war-battered country's isolation is ending. Saudi Arabia, Qatar
and others for years supported anti-Assad rebels. But Syria's army, backed by
Iran, Russia and paramilitary groups, has regained control of most of the
country. While Arab countries appear to have brought Assad in from the cold,
they are still demanding that he curbs Syria's flourishing drugs trade and that
war refugees can return. But it remains a striking recovery in the Syrian
leader's fortunes. "This is, indeed, a triumphant moment for Bashar al-Assad,
being accepted back into the Arab League, the Arab world, after being shunned
and isolated by it for over a decade," said David Lesch, a Middle East History
professor at Trinity University in Texas. Several states, including Qatar and
Kuwait, had voiced their opposition to welcoming back Assad. But the summit will
underscore how Qatar has scaled back its ambitions to be a major diplomatic
player in the region and accept Saudi's preeminent role. Assad is not the only
divisive issue among Arabs. The League is also split over questions ranging from
normalisation with Israel and how to support the Palestinian cause, the regional
roles of Turkey and Iran, and which side to pick in polarised global politics.
Also present in the Red Sea city of Jeddah are envoys for Sudan's warring
military factions. That ongoing conflict is expected to dominate discussions.
Saudi Arabia has been hosting talks on a ceasefire and humanitarian issues in
Sudan for weeks.
WORK TOGETHER
The kingdom wants to send a message to the global community that Arabs will work
together, said Abdullah Baaboud, the State of Qatar Chair for Islamic Area
Studies at Waseda University in Tokyo. "That also helps it (Riyadh) not only in
term of its status within the Middle East but also beyond that when it comes to
dealing with international powers, whether it is the United States, Europe or
China," Baaboud said. Washington has been sceptical about Assad's return to the
Arab fold. A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced a bill last week
intended to bar U.S. recognition of Assad as Syria's president and enhance
Washington's ability to impose sanctions. His return to the Arab League is
likely to revive questions over his human rights record. Government forces have
used chemical weapons more than two dozen times during Syria’s civil war, U.N.
war crimes investigators said. Syria has repeatedly denied using chemical
weapons. But Assad has proven resilient despite pressure from Western powers and
Arab countries who backed his enemies in the war. The Syrian crisis and other
regional conflicts including Yemen and Libya, pose further challenges for the
Arab League, which is often undermined by internal divisions. Arab leaders argue
that security is more important than democracy. "There has been indeed in the
past few years a willingness by Saudi Arabia and other regional actors to
consolidate a form of authoritarian stability in the region," said Joseph Daher,
a professor at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy. "Despite
continuous rivalries among various states...they hold a common position in
wanting to return to a situation similar to that in place before the uprisings
in 2011." This year's summit also comes as Egypt, Tunisia and Lebanon struggle
with runaway inflation, unemployment and popular anger. Saudi Arabia and the
United Arab Emirates, however, have set a new tone for times of crisis, saying
the era of no-strings attached to help that the Gulf states offer others is
over.
Why Hamas was not Israel's target in Gaza
airstrikes - this time
GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters)/Nidal al-Mughrabi and James Mackenzie/May 17, 2023
Israel's latest round of airstrikes against Palestinian militants in the Gaza
Strip left familiar images of towering spirals of smoke and wailing sirens but
none of the buildings left in rubble by the jets belonged to its main enemy,
Hamas. Instead, the strikes targeted the Iranian-backed Palestinian Islamic
Jihad, killing six senior commanders who Israel said had planned and carried out
attacks on Israelis, and destroying dozens of rocket silos, mortars and tunnels
across Gaza. But while Islamic Jihad fired hundreds of rockets at Israel in
response, Hamas - with a rocket arsenal estimated at four times the size -
stayed on the sidelines, apparently unwilling to see a repeat of the fierce
10-day conflict it fought in May 2021. "It is not that Hamas is afraid of
confrontation with Israel, it is rather not willing to have a large-scale war so
soon," said a regional diplomat, who has long experience working with Hamas
officials. The diplomat, who was involved in the talks that brought a ceasefire
to last week's flare up, spoke on condition of anonymity because of the
sensitivity of the matter. Israel's decision to avoid targeting the most
powerful Palestinian faction with which it has fought repeated wars in the past
decade, points to the complexity of the relationship with a group that has run
Gaza since 2007, even though Israeli officials insist the military could strike
Hamas at any time. The two sides may be sworn enemies, but they share an
interest in maintaining a basic level of stability in Gaza, where 2.3 million
people live in a coastal enclave of just 365 square kilometres between Israel
and Egypt. Israel maintains a strict blockade, yet almost 20,000 Gazans are
allowed to leave the enclave to work in Israel or the West Bank in jobs that
provide about $3 million a day in wages to a territory where around half the
population is out of work. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alluded to Israel's
calculations at work in dealing with Hamas in Gaza. "Hamas, like other extremist
Islamist movements, flies the banner of destroying Israel, so it is very
difficult to achieve real accords with them," he said this week. "But are there
certain areas in which to maneuver here? The answer is that, when deterrence is
strong, such areas grow accordingly."
GOVERNING RESPONSIBILITY
Michael Milshtein, a former official of COGAT, the office that coordinates
Israeli governance over the West Bank said there was a form of tacit agreement
between the two sides. "We will provide permits, we will promote salaries, we
will promote all kinds of civil projects and in return, you will keep the whole
Gaza Strip calm," he said. Israeli officials declined to comment on day-to-day
relations with Hamas authorities in Gaza. Hamas denies it makes any concessions
to Israel in return for economic benefits. Islamic Jihad, which has no governing
responsibility in Gaza, has a freer hand and has recently been more aggressive
in taking on Israel from Gaza, pointing to possible frictions between the two
groups, said Hani al-Masri, a political analyst based in the West Bank city
Ramallah. "The gap between Hamas and Islamic Jihad is rooted in the fact that
Hamas has a political programme and governing authority, whereas the Jihad has
neither," he said. However, Israeli officials say Islamic Jihad would not be
able to fire rockets without approval from Hamas. The two Palestinian groups
deny they have any major differences and say all decisions during the recent
fighting went through their Joint Operations Room, which coordinates activities
of Palestinian armed groups in Gaza. Taher Al-Nono, political adviser of Hamas
chief Ismail Haniyeh, said there was "a complete state of harmony and
understanding". An Islamic Jihad official offered a similar line.
NEXT TEST
"Al-Quds Brigades got the lion's share of the response since those who were
assassinated were its leaders," said one Palestinian militant official, using
the name of Islamic Jihad's armed wing. "That was the tactic."The next potential
test of Hamas restraint could come as early as Thursday when Israeli
nationalists hold an annual "Flag Day" march through the Muslim Quarter of the
Old City of Jerusalem, celebrating Israel's victory in the 1967 Middle East War.
Hamas has stayed out of previous rounds of fighting in Gaza between Israel and
Islamic Jihad over an Islamic Jihad hunger striker who died in Israeli custody
earlier this month and over a senior official who was arrested last August.
Instead it has sought to build its status as leader of the Palestinian
resistance by focusing on tensions in the West Bank and around Al-Aqsa mosque in
Jerusalem, the most sensitive point between Muslims, for whom the mosque is the
third most holy place, and Jews who revere the site as Temple Mount, the
location of two ancient temples. Hamas has encouraged shows of defiance such as
the uproar surrounding an Israeli police raid on the mosque compound during
Ramadan. Dozens of Hamas militants have also been killed over the past year
during an escalation of violence that has brought the territory to the brink of
a new Intifada, or uprising. With 87-year-old Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas likely to be nearing the end of his time in power, the future of the West
Bank-based Palestinian Authority is unclear, with a potential vacuum opening up
when Abbas departs the scene. "That's why they (Hamas) focus their attacks in
the West Bank," the regional diplomat said. "They hurt Israel and they embarrass
the Palestinian Authority before its people and before Israel as well."
(This story has been refiled to fix the dateline)
(Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah, Dan Williams in Jerusalem;
Editing by Edmund Blair)
Hamas calls on Palestinians to confront
Israeli victory parade in Jerusalem
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP)/Wed, May 17, 2023
The ruling Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday called on
Palestinians to confront a flag-waving parade planned by Jewish nationalists
through the main Palestinian thoroughfare in Jerusalem’s Old City. The comments
by Hamas added to the already heightened tensions ahead of Thursday’s march and
threatened to reignite fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in
Gaza, just days after a cease-fire took hold. Two years ago, an 11-day war
between Israel and Hamas erupted during the annual march. While Hamas stayed out
of the latest round of fighting, officials with the ruling Islamic militant
group urged Palestinians to oppose Thursday’s parade. “We ask the people of
Jerusalem to mobilize the masses to confront the march of the flags in Jerusalem
tomorrow,” said Mushir al-Masri, a Hamas official in Gaza. Hamas also urged
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and inside Israel to “clash with the
occupation" and said it would hold a demonstration with Palestinian flags along
Gaza’s heavily fortified frontier with Israel. The parade is meant to mark
“Jerusalem Day,” Israel's annual celebration of its capture of east Jerusalem,
including the Old City and its holy sites, in the 1967 Mideast war. Israel
considers the entire city to be its eternal capital. But the international
community does not recognize Israel's annexation of east Jerusalem, and the
Palestinians claim the area as the capital of a future state. Each year,
thousands of Israeli nationalists participate in the march, waving blue and
white Israeli flags and singing songs as they walk through the Muslim Quarter
and toward the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews
can pray. Israelis describe the parade as a festive event. But in past years, it
has been marred by anti-Arab racist chants and violence toward local
Palestinians by some of the marchers. Adding to the combustible atmosphere,
large numbers of Jews are expected to visit Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site
early Thursday before the parade. The hilltop compound is known to Jews as the
Temple Mount, home to the biblical Jewish Temples, and is the holiest site in
Judaism. Palestinians call it the Noble Sanctuary, and today it is home to the
Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam.
Under longstanding agreements, Jews are permitted to visit the compound but not
pray there. But an increase in such visits in recent years, along with scenes of
some Jews quietly praying, have raised concerns among Palestinians that Israel
is trying to alter the status quo — a charge Israel denies. The competing claims
to the site lie at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and often spill
over into violence. Chief Supt Yoram Segal, a senior police official in
Jerusalem, said police would deploy some 2,500 officers on Thursday to ensure
the day passes without violence. “We are going to deal harshly with anyone who
tries to disturb the peace,” he told reporters. The march comes less than a week
after Israel and the Islamic Jihad militant group in Gaza reached a cease-fire
that ended five days of heavy fighting. Hamas, the de facto government in Gaza
responsible for the plight of the territory’s 2.3 million people, stayed out of
the fighting, while Israel avoided attacking the militant group. Reham Owda, an
independent Gaza-based independent, said that neither side appears interested in
resuming cross-border violence. “No one is interested in fierce escalation,” she
said, but she said the parade could trigger “limited, symbolic” firing of
rockets that could in turn spark Israeli airstrikes in retaliation. If violence
erupts in Jerusalem, Hamas could jump into the fray, as it did two years ago.
“The resistance is ready to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque and prevent the Judaization
of Jerusalem,” al-Masri said.
MPs debate how to challenge Israel's judicial reform and push for regional peace
OTTAWA/The Canadian Press/Wed, May 17, 2023
Canadian MPs are mulling how vigorously and publicly they should challenge moves
by Israel's far-right government to curtail the power of judges and expand
illegal settlements on Palestinian land. At an event this week marking 75 years
of Israel's existence, Jewish MPs and their peers are taking stock of Canada's
relations with the Middle Eastern country. The MPs note that Ottawa has
increasingly voiced concerns about the policies of Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu. His government has allowed the expansion of settlements that
are illegal under international law, and it wants to allow Israel's parliament
to overturn decisions by the country's Supreme Court. Liberal MP Ya'ara Saks
says it's important to call out friendly countries when they are headed down a
bad path, but another Liberal MP, Anthony Housefather, says most disagreements
should be aired in private. A House of Commons committee has opted to study the
recent trends in Israel as well as violence by terrorist groups against
Israelis, with all parties except the Conservatives voting in favour of holding
the hearings. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 17,
2023.
Russia confirms Black Sea grain deal renewed for two months, says 'distortions'
remain
Reuters/May 17, 2023
Russia confirmed on Wednesday that a deal to allow Ukraine to export its grain
safely across the Black Sea, despite Russia's war in Ukraine, had been extended
for two months. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the deal had
been extended to help countries in need, but added that Russia's overall
assessment of the situation regarding the deal had not changed. Russia had
threatened to quit the arrangement, agreed last July with the help of the United
Nations and Turkey, this Thursday unless a list of conditions were met. "The
extension of the grain deal is for two months. Thus, there is a chance, not in
words, but in deeds, to help ensure global food security. First of all, to help
the most needy countries," Zakharova told reporters in a video briefing. The
Russian conditions were designed to counter the effect of some of the economic
sanctions imposed by the West after Russia sent its armed forces into Ukraine.
The demands were:
- the readmission of the Russian agricultural Bank (Rosselkhozbank) to the
international banking payment system, SWIFT
- the resumption of supplies to Russia of agricultural machinery and spares
- the lifting of restrictions on insurance and access to ports for Russian ships
and cargo
- the reinstatement of a pipeline pumping ammonia from the Russian city of
Togliatti to the Ukrainian port of Odesa
- the unblocking of accounts and financial activities of Russian fertiliser
companies
It was not clear whether any of the demands had been secured. Zakharova said
work on them would continue.
"We proceed from the obligation to implement the parameters we declared," she
said. "Our fundamental assessments of the Istanbul agreements concluded on July
22, 2022, have not changed, and the distortions in their implementation must be
corrected as quickly as possible."
Ukraine Denies Russia Destroyed Patriot
Missile Defense System
Reuters/May 17, 2023,
Ukraine denied on Wednesday that a Russian hypersonic missile had destroyed a
US-made Patriot missile defense system during an air strike on Kyiv. Russia's
defense ministry made the assertion on Tuesday after an overnight air attack on
the Ukrainian capital. Two US officials later said a Patriot system had probably
suffered damage but that it did not appear to have been destroyed. "I want to
say: do not worry about the fate of the Patriot," Ukrainian air force
spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat told Ukrainian television. He ruled out the possibility
of a Russian "Kinzhal" missile knocking out a Patriot system. "Destroying the
system with some kind of 'Kinzhal', it's impossible. Everything that they say
there, it can remain in their propaganda archive," he said. The Patriot system
is one of an array of sophisticated air defense units supplied by the West to
help Ukraine repel Russian air strikes following Moscow's invasion last year,
Reuters said. It is considered one of the most advanced US air defense systems,
including against aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, and
typically includes launchers along with radar and other support vehicles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has touted the Kinzhal missile as proof that
his country has world-beating military hardware. Ukraine said it had shot down
six Kinzhal missiles on Tuesday, but Russia denied this. It was not clear which
Western weapon Ukraine used, and the Pentagon had no immediate comment.
Ukraine Tells Chinese Envoy It Won’t Accept Ceding Land to
Russia
Reuters/17 May 2023
Ukraine's foreign minister told a top Chinese envoy at talks in Kyiv on
Wednesday that Kyiv would not accept any proposals to end the war with Russia
that involved it losing territory or freezing the conflict, the Ukrainian
foreign ministry said. Li Hui, China's special representative for Eurasian
affairs and former ambassador to Russia, visited Ukraine on Tuesday and
Wednesday, and met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, the ministry said
in a statement. The visit is the first to Kyiv by a senior envoy from China,
which has burgeoning ties with Russia, since Moscow's full-scale invasion in
February 2022. "Kuleba briefed the special envoy of the Chinese government in
detail on the principles of restoring a sustainable and just peace based on
respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the ministry said.
"He stressed that Ukraine did not accept any proposals involving the loss of its
territories or the freezing of the conflict," it said. The senior Chinese
official's trip to Europe is expected also to include talks in Russia, Poland,
France and Germany. China has refrained from condemning Moscow or referring to
its actions as an "invasion", leading to criticism from European countries and
the United States, which have questioned China's credibility as a potential
broker in the conflict.
Hungary to Block Further EU Aid to Ukraine, Minister Says
Bloomberg/Wed, May 17, 2023
Hungary will block further European Union financial aid to Ukraine for what its
foreign minister said was an “increasingly belligerent” attitude on the part of
Kyiv toward its European Union neighbor. Hungary will block a further €500
million-euro ($542 million) tranche of EU financial assistance to Ukraine for
now and would be reluctant to back further sanctions against Russia, Foreign
Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Wednesday. “It’s fair to say that we’ve had
enough,” he said at a briefing in Vienna, listing three developments that
underpinned Hungary’s decision.
They included Ukraine’s decision to add OTP Bank Nyrt., Hungary’s largest
lender, to a list that shames companies that continue to do business in Russia.
He also said that Ukraine was limiting the educational rights of the country’s
ethnic Hungarian citizens. He lastly pointed to a report from the Washington
Post suggesting that President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had at one point talked about
blowing up the pipeline delivering oil from Russia to Hungary via Ukraine. “I
want to make clear that as long as Ukraine keeps OTP on its list of
international war sponsors, we can’t support decisions requiring new economic
and financial sacrifice on the part of the European Union and its member
states,” Szijjarto said. “The same goes for sanctions.”The comments upended a
forint rally as investors were once again put on edge about the potential market
fallout of a deepening rift between Hungary and the EU. The currency dropped as
much as 0.8% against the euro and more than 1% against the dollar. Prime
Minister Viktor Orban’s government, widely seen as Russa’s closest partner in
the EU even after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, is struggling to
unlock more than $30 billion of the bloc’s funds that have been suspended due to
concerns over graft and the rule of law. Orban has dragged his feet on
supporting the bloc’s penalties against Russia and refused to join other members
by supplying weapons to Ukraine. He has also urged the EU to consider cutting
financing to Kyiv, which critics have said is akin to pushing for capitulation
to Moscow’s aggression. “At least some market participants may decide to trim
their exposure in case a major diplomatic spat between Budapest and Brussels
unfolds, resulting in Hungary not receiving EU funds,” said Piotr Matys, a
senior currency analyst at In Touch Capital Markets in London.
British missiles are about to destroy Putin’s overstretched supply lines
Greg Bagwell/The Telegraph/Wed, May 17, 2023
President Zelenskyy’s latest visit to Britain has resulted in an offer of air-defence
missiles and attack drones. In combination with last week’s decision to send
long-range Storm Shadow missiles, and plans for pilot training and assistance to
facilitate F16 transfers from other nations, this is a much more significant
step in the conflict than “just” another increase in Ukraine’s existing military
stockpile.
Britain’s latest offers of weaponry are the most significant to date, and are
pushing the boundaries of what can be offered by others. Time and again Britain
has driven other countries to action by being the first to act on certain
capabilities; the first to provide tanks, the first Western leader to visit
during the invasion, and as of last Friday, the first to provide long range
missiles capable of hitting Russia’s soft underbelly. If they can extend that to
facilitating combat aircraft transfers, Ukraine will finally get the level
playing field they deserve and need. With the war having largely stagnated over
the winter around well-drawn battle lines, the British Storm Shadow missiles are
a genuine game-changing capability for the Ukrainian armed forces. This conflict
has, as all long attritional wars do, become a battle of logistics, where the
ability to deplete, disrupt or destroy the enemies’ logistics becomes a critical
aim.
To date, Russia largely enjoyed a safe rear area, immune from attack from or
through the air. Now Kyiv has longer range British missiles, all Russian
equipment inside Ukraine – including Crimea – is at risk. Russian frontlines
were fragile already, so concerted attacks on their rear areas will make their
ability to hold Ukrainian territory even more difficult. If Ukraine can use them
effectively in combination with ground offensives, we could see significant
successes over the summer. Make no mistake: this will hurt Russia’s forces. The
longer range missiles and drones will make up for Ukraine's lack of modern
airpower, but this latter element needs attention too. The UK’s offer of pilot
training will be welcome, but that is a longer term fix; if the UK can act as a
go-between for more immediate transfers of F16s that will be a much more
significant contribution to the immediate situation. Russian aviation is already
relatively impotent, and an increase in Ukraine’s air force capability will make
them increasingly so. It would also allow Kyiv to launch unpredictable long
range strikes from multiple axes.
But, importantly, these new additions don’t signal a swift end to the war;
Russia remains a formidable foe and the West’s assistance to date has come only
just in time to halt Russian advances and stop the defeat of Ukraine. With
increased urgency, and the greater capability now being offered the tide can be
slowly turned in Ukraine’s favour. The sooner Russia recognises it cannot and
will not win, the sooner this war comes to an end. Broaden your horizons with
award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy
1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
European nations back system to calculate
damage Russia caused in Ukraine
Associated Press/Wed, May 17, 2023
More than 40 countries at a summit of European leaders have backed a system to
estimate the damage Russia is causing during the war in Ukraine, in the hopes
Moscow can be forced to compensate victims and help rebuild the nation once the
conflict is over.The Russian invasion of Ukraine was the dominant topic during
the meeting in the Icelandic capital, Reykjavík, where delegations from Council
of Europe member states discussed how the continent's preeminent human rights
organization could support Kyiv. France, Germany and the United Kingdom are
among the countries that have signed on to the most tangible outcome of the
meeting: a new office to set up a register of damages that will allow victims of
the war to report the harm they have suffered. "Today's decision to establish
this register is without doubt historic. After that, we should prepare the
necessary legal framework for the confiscation of Russian assets and establish a
compensation fund," said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. German
Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the register "a significant contribution to
international efforts to hold Russia to account for the consequences of its
brutal actions."
Ten countries of the 46-member international body have not yet formally
committed to the new organization, which will be based in The Hague where
several major international judicial organizations are already based. A further
three countries plan to participate but need time to meet national legal
requirements. The United States, Japan and Canada have also joined. They
participate in the Council of Europe as observer states.
Scholz made clear that details of how Russia will pay for the damage to Ukraine
remain to be resolved. "The register of damages is a register – that's quite a
bit, but that's what it is, and this doesn't resolve the question of how the
damages will be paid for."Asked to assess the chances of frozen Russian assets
being used to pay for damages, Scholz sounded skeptical. He said there were "not
many courses of action that are open and are compatible with current law." The
record is "intended to constitute the first component of a future international
compensation mechanism," according to a Council of Europe document. The running
costs will be financed by the signatories. Such a register could be used to
distribute reparations from a proposed tribunal to prosecute the crime of
aggression, another concept backed by the Council of Europe. In his address to
the summit on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his
country's wish for such a court. "There will be no reliable peace without
justice," he said, speaking to the opening session via video link. The Council
of Europe's secretary general, Marija Pejčinović Burić said that the body
intends to support the international effort to establish a judicial organ to
prosecute the crime of aggression — the literal act of invading another country.
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Russian
President Vladimir Putin and another official for war crimes, accusing him of
personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine. But the
court lacks the ability to prosecute aggression.
Sudan, Palestine at the Top of Jeddah Summit Files
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 17/2023
With the ongoing preparations for the Arab League summit in Jeddah on Friday,
Ambassador Hossam Zaki, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, spoke
with great optimism about what he described as a “summit of renewal and change.”
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Zaki noted that the Arab foreign ministers
would convene on Wednesday to put the final touches on the agenda, saying:
“Everything will be ready before the summit for approval, and we will move
forward with the Arab action, under the presidency of Saudi Arabia, as of May
19.”
Saudi efforts
The assistant secretary-general of the Arab League asserted that the Saudi
presidency of the Arab Summit would provide a great impetus for the Arabs.
“Saudi Arabia is witnessing good and promising diplomatic and political
movement, and its presidency of the Arab summit will be active and keen on Arab
interests,” he stated.
The Jeddah Summit files
The Sudanese file will top the agenda of the Jeddah summit, according to Zaki,
who expressed hope that efforts to stop the armed clash would be crowned with
success. “We have all followed the Saudi-American effort that culminated in
reaching a truce, but we hope for more arduous work to establish a permanent
cease-fire,” he said, pointing to the creation of an Arab contact group, which
includes Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the Arab League secretary-general. “We expect
the committee to meet at the level of foreign ministers on the sidelines of the
summit, to discuss the means to move forward to achieve this goal,” he added. In
addition to Sudan, Zaki said that the Palestinian file would also be among the
Arab officials’ priorities. He emphasized other important topics, including the
relations that have begun to take a new shape between the Arab states on the one
hand, and some regional countries, including Iran and Türkiye, on the other.
Syria’s return to the Arab League
Zaki called for considering the return of Syria to the Arab League as the
beginning of a new phase in dealing with the situation in the country. He said:
“Over the course of 12 years, the Arab League dealt with the Syrian crisis based
on the fact that the government in Damascus suspended its participation in all
the activities of the League. Now this stage is over.” According to the
assistant secretary-general, all countries had the impression that the Arab
League was completely absent from any endeavors to help Syria rise from its
crisis, and to find a political solution that meets the aspirations of the
Syrian people. “The Arab side discovered that the international community,
perhaps due to successive events, has begun to give less priority to the Syrian
file. Of course, many things have happened, including the Ukraine war and
others. This has caused the repercussions of the Syrian crisis to largely affect
neighboring countries, in terms of drug trade, terrorism and refugees. Those are
very pressing issues in the states neighboring Syria and other Arab countries,”
the ambassador remarked. Zaki expressed hope that the newly-established
mechanism and the Arab committee that was recently formed to follow up on the
Syrian file would open a new chapter in the Arab dealing with Syria and help the
Syrian people overcome their crises.
Relations with Iran
According to the senior diplomat, the Arab League sees the Saudi-Iranian
agreement as positive and may contribute to stability in the region if Iran’s
intentions are sincere. He continued: “If intentions are sincere and commitments
are implemented, we hope that this region will witness some improvement in the
relationship between the Arab countries on the one hand, and Iran on the other.”
Zaki noted that relations between the Arab world and Iran in recent history were
“full of negative interference.” “But we want to open a new page, and this
agreement is like a new chapter. If intentions are sincere, we can achieve a lot
for the sake of the peoples of the region,” he stated.
The role of the Arab League and its reform
Zaki tried to differentiate between repeated criticisms of the Arab League
performance and calls for reform, saying that the two matters were separate.
“With regard to the presence of the Arab League in Arab files and crises, we
have tried and are trying as much as possible for the flag of the Arab League to
be present in all forums, and for it to have an opinion and contribution to any
Arab crisis or problem,” he underlined. The senior diplomat explained: “But how
can you deal with a crisis that has been thrown at the door of the Security
Council, and then say that the League has not assumed its role! If the issue was
brought up to the Security Council, what can the Arab League do about it? ...
This is unfair.” The assistant secretary-general said that calls for reform were
“intended, to a large extent, to obstruct” the work of the Arab League. “But
tell me about the countries that do not pay their dues and contributions to the
League (we do not want to name them). Does this matter fall in the interest of
the Arab League or not? Does this enable it to perform the roles entrusted to
it? The word reform is beautiful, sounds nice and it is used in many forums, but
tell me what is the problem that we want to deal with and I will tell you
whether it deserves reform or not,” Zaki stated. He cited an example, saying
that before 2005, the Arab League was constantly criticized for not voting on
decisions and contenting itself with consensus. “The Arab League adopted the
voting system since 2005, that is, 18 years ago, but this system was not used
once,” he remarked.
Iranian Navy Commander Urges Boosting Cooperation with Russia
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 17/2023
Commander of the Iranian Navy Rear Admiral Shahram Irani has called for boosting
cooperation with Russia. Irani received in Tehran commander-in-chief of the
Russian Navy Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, who invited him to attend Russia's main
Navy Day parade to be held in St. Petersburg, reported the Islamic Republic News
Agency (IRNA). Irani expressed his appreciation of the cooperation with the
Russian Navy. Russia’s participation in three joint drills with Iran that also
included China, according to Irani, sent a “very important” message to their
mutual enemy. Irani emphasized the need to establish a joint committee to foster
engagement in many areas, notably in the technological and educational sectors.
For his part, Yevmenov hoped his visit to Iran would result in further
cooperation between their navies. He urged the advancement of naval cooperation
with Iran, expressing willingness to sign bilateral agreements with the Iranian
Navy. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby had on Monday
stated that Russia and Iran were expanding their military cooperation. “Iran
also continues to provide Russia with one-way attack UAVs (unmanned aerial
vehicles). Since August, Iran has provided Russia with more than 400 UAVs,”
Kirby said. “Russia has expended most of these UAVs, using them to target
Ukrainian critical infrastructure inside Ukraine,” he told reporters.
Türkiye Opposition Says Irregularities at Thousands of Ballot Boxes
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 17/2023
Türkiye’s main opposition party determined there were irregularities at 2,269
ballot boxes for the presidential election and at 4,825 boxes for the
parliamentary election that took place Sunday, a party official said on
Wednesday. Muharrem Erkek, a Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy chairman,
told reporters the irregularities at each ballot box ranged from a single wrong
vote to hundreds of votes, Reuters said. "We are following every single vote,
even if it does not change the overall results," he said in Ankara. There were a
total of 201,807 ballot boxes set up for the election, domestically and abroad,
Erkek said.
UN Seeks Nearly $2.6 Bln for Humanitarian Needs in Sudan
Reuters/17 May 2023
The United Nations humanitarian response plan is seeking $2.56 billion to help
people affected by the crisis in Sudan, a senior UN official said on Wednesday,
while the UN refugee agency is also seeking more funding to assist those forced
to flee. "Today, 25 million people, more than half the population of Sudan, need
humanitarian aid and protection. This is the highest number we have ever seen in
the country," said Ramesh Rajasingham, head of the UN Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva and director of the Coordination
Division. "The funding requirements of nearly $2.6 billion is also the highest
for any humanitarian appeal for Sudan." The plan, a revised version of the
annual humanitarian plan for 2023, is designed to target 18 million people in
need. The conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support
Forces (RSF) has caused a humanitarian crisis that threatens to destabilize the
region, displacing more than 700,000 people inside Sudan and forcing about
200,000 to flee into neighboring countries. The United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR), making a joint appeal with the aid agency on Wednesday,
said it was seeking $472 million to assist more than 1 million people over the
next six months. "Sadly, we need once again to call on countries and individuals
with the means to step up for innocent people who have lost everything through
no fault of their own," said Raouf Mazou, Assistant High Commissioner for
Operations at UNHCR.
Biden ‘Confident’ There Will Be No US Debt Default
AP/May 17, 2023,
President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he is confident the US will avoid an
unprecedented and catastrophic debt default, saying talks with congressional
Republicans have been productive as he prepared to leave for a global summit in
Japan. “I’m confident that we’ll get the agreement on the budget and America
will not default,” Biden said from the Roosevelt Room of the White House. He
said he and lawmakers will come together “because there's no alternative.”
Biden’s remarks came just before he departed Washington for the Group of Seven
summit in Hiroshima, Japan, and one day after he convened a second Oval Office
meeting with congressional leaders to determine how to avert debt default. The
president and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., tasked a handful of
negotiators to try and close out a final deal, with negotiations beginning late
Tuesday. Those people include Steve Ricchetti, counselor to the president;
legislative affairs director Louisa Terrell and Office of Management and Budget
director Shalanda Young for the administration, and Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., a
close McCarthy ally, for the Republicans. “I think at the end of the day we do
not have a debt default,” McCarthy told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Wednesday. “The
problem is, the timeline is very short.” Negotiators have been scrambling to
strike an agreement that would unlock a path forward for raising the debt limit
by June 1, which is when the Treasury Department says the US could begin
defaulting on its obligations and trigger financial chaos. The national debt
currently stands at $31.4 trillion. An increase in the debt limit would not
authorize new federal spending; it would only allow for borrowing to pay for
what Congress has already approved.
G-7 leaders likely to focus on the war in
Ukraine and tensions in Asia at summit in Hiroshima
Associated Press/Wed, May 17, 2023
The symbolism will be palpable when leaders of the world's rich democracies sit
down in Hiroshima, a city whose name evokes the tragedy of war, to tackle a host
of challenges including Russia's invasion of Ukraine and rising tensions in
Asia. The attention on the war in Europe comes just days after Ukrainian
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy completed a whirlwind trip to meet many of the
Group of Seven leaders now heading to Japan for the summit starting Friday. That
tour was aimed at adding to his country's weapons stockpile and building
political support ahead of a widely anticipated counteroffensive to reclaim
lands occupied by Moscow's forces. "Ukraine has driven this sense of common
purpose" for the G-7, said Matthew P. Goodman, senior vice president for
economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
He said the new commitments Zelenskyy received just ahead of the summit could
push members of the bloc to step up their support even further. "There's a kind
of peer pressure that develops in forums like this," he explained.
G-7 leaders are also girding for the possibility of renewed conflict in Asia as
relations with China deteriorate. They are increasingly concerned, among other
things, about what they see as Beijing's growing assertiveness, and fear that
China could could try to seize Taiwan by force, sparking a wider conflict. China
claims the self-governing island as its own and regularly sends ships and
warplanes near it. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also hopes to highlight
the risks of nuclear proliferation during the meeting in Hiroshima, the site of
the world's first atomic bombing.
The prospect of another nuclear attack has been crystalized by nearby North
Korea's nuclear program and spate of recent missile tests, and Russia's threats
to use nuclear weapons in its war in Ukraine. China, meanwhile, is rapidly
expanding its nuclear arsenal from an estimated 400 warheads today to 1,500 by
2035, according to Pentagon estimates.
Concerns about the strength of the global economy, rising prices and the debt
limit crisis in the U.S. will be high on leaders' minds. G-7 finance ministers
and central bank chiefs meeting ahead of the summit pledged to enforce sanctions
against Russia, tackle rising inflation, bolster financial systems and help
countries burdened by heavy debts. The G-7 includes the United States, Japan,
the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada and Italy, as well as the European
Union. That group is also lavishing more attention on the needs of the Global
South — a term to describe mostly developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin
America — and has invited countries ranging from South American powerhouse
Brazil to the tiny Cook Islands in the South Pacific. By broadening the
conversation beyond the world's richest industrialized nations, the group hopes
to strengthen political and economic ties while shoring up support for efforts
to isolate Russia and stand up to China's assertiveness around the world,
analysts say. "Japan was shocked when scores of developing countries were
reluctant to condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine last year," said Mireya
Solís, director of the Center for East Asian Policy Studies at The Brookings
Institution. "Tokyo believes that this act of war by a permanent member of the
U.N. Security Council is a direct threat to the foundations of the postwar
international system." Getting a diverse set of countries to uphold principles
like not changing borders by force advances Japan's foreign policy priorities,
and makes good economic sense since their often unsustainable debt loads and
rising prices for food and energy are a drag on the global economy, she
continued. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be attending. His
country, which is overtaking China as the world's most populous and sees itself
as a rising superpower, is playing host to a meeting of the much broader group
of G-20 leading economies later this year. For host Kishida, this weekend's
meeting is an opportunity to spotlight his country's more robust foreign policy.
The Japanese prime minister made a surprise trip to Kyiv in March, making him
the country's first postwar leader to travel to a war zone, a visit freighted
with symbolism given Japan's pacifist constitution but one that he was under
domestic pressure to take. Another notable inclusion in Hiroshima is South
Korea, a fellow U.S. ally that has rapidly drawn closer to its former colonial
occupier Japan as their relations thawed in the face of shared regional security
concerns.
U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to hold a separate three-way meeting with
his Japanese and South Korean counterparts.
Sung-Yoon Lee, an East Asia expert at Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law
and Diplomacy, said that meeting sends a message to China, Russia and North
Korea of "solidarity among the democracies in the region and their resolve to
stand up to the increasingly threatening autocracies."
Biden had been expected to make a historic stop in Papua New Guinea and then
travel onward to Australia after the Hiroshima meeting, but he scrapped those
latter two stops Tuesday to focus on the debt limit debate back in Washington.
The centerpiece of the Australia visit was a meeting of the Quad, a regional
security grouping that the U.S. sees as a counterweight to China's actions in
the region. Beijing has criticized the group as an Asian version of the NATO
military alliance. The decision to host the G-7 in Hiroshima is no accident.
Kishida, whose family is from the city, hopes the venue will underscore Japan's
"commitment to world peace" and build momentum to "realize the ideal of a world
without nuclear weapons," he wrote on the online news site Japan Forward.
The United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945,
destroying the city and killing 140,000 people, then dropped a second on
Nagasaki three days later, killing another 70,000. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15,
effectively ending World War II and decades of Japanese aggression in Asia.
The shell and skeletal dome of one of the riverside buildings that survived the
Hiroshima blast are the focal point of the Peace Memorial Park, which leaders
are expected to visit.
The Latest LCCC English analysis &
editorials from miscellaneous sources published
on May 17-18/2023
The US has
a new friend in the Mediterranean that could help it isolate Russia, but not
everybody in NATO is happy about it
Constantine Atlamazoglou/Business Insider/Wed, May 17, 2023
US-Cyprus relations are picking up, as shown by increasing military exercises
and exchanges. Cyprus long had close ties with Russia, but it has turned to the
West in recent years. That trend is a problem for Turkey, which has its own
disputes with both the US and Cyprus. In April, the nuclear-powered submarine
USS San Juan docked in the port of Limassol in Cyprus.
The submarine's visit was "clear evidence" of the US and Cyprus's "shared
commitment to promoting security and stability in the region" the US ambassador
to the island country said after visiting the boat with recently elected
President Nikos Christodoulides. The visit illustrates the importance that
Cyprus's government puts on its relationship with the US and the value
Washington sees in the island amid rising activity — and tensions — in the
Eastern Mediterranean. Located in the northeast corner of the Mediterranean Sea,
Cyprus has a valuable position in an important neighborhood, providing a perch
from which to watch activity in the Eastern Mediterranean and to reach into the
Middle East and North Africa. The Republic of Cyprus, as it's formally known,
was subject to a US arms embargo imposed in 1987 and had developed close ties to
Russia, but that dynamic has begun to reverse in recent years. At a Senate Armed
Services Committee hearing in April, Gen. Christopher Cavoli, head of US
European Command and NATO's supreme allied commander, said Cyprus is ideally
located for the US to project power into the Eastern Mediterranean.
The region is a complicated area "that has seen greatly increased competition as
well as Russian naval presence in the past few years," Cavoli said, adding that
US naval forces "work extensively down there" and that NATO is devoting a lot of
attention to Russian activity in the region. Russia maintains a naval base in
the Syrian port of Tartus — its only naval base outside the former Soviet Union
— and an airbase nearby in Hmeimim. Recent upgrades allow its airbase to support
strategic bombers and its naval base to do more repairs for warships. Russia was
also a close military partner and a major arms exporter to Cyprus. In 2015,
Nicosia struck a deal granting Russian ships access to Cypriot ports for
replenishment. Cyprus is also a major hub for illicit Russian funds. However,
Nicosia has been moving away from Russia and pursuing a closer relationship with
the US. In 2019, Congress voted to increase energy cooperation with Cyprus and
other countries in the region. In 2020, the US partially lifted its arms embargo
so non-lethal equipment could be exported to Cyprus, and last year, it fully
lifted the embargo. "Sharing an equipment set with another nation creates a
strategic bond as well as a practical bond that is very useful," Cavoli said at
the hearing when asked about the importance of Cyprus buying American rather
than Russian or Chinese weapons.
"We keep a strong military-to-military relationship with Cyprus," Cavoli said.
Cyprus has expanded its military exchanges with the US, including formalizing
its relationship with the New Jersey National Guard under the US's State
Partnership Program in March. That agreement allows Cypriots "to engage in
various training and joint exercises on issues ranging from counter-terrorism to
emergency response" said Andrew Novo, a professor of strategic studies at the
National Defense University. Cypriot and American units have already conducted
joint exercises and the US is training Ukrainian troops on the island.
Nicosia has also undone some of its ties to Russia. Following Moscow's attack on
Ukraine in February 2022, it scrapped the 2015 deal and barred Russian ships
from its ports. Christodoulides, who took office in March, has "strong Western
credentials" and wants to continue his predecessor's efforts to bring Cyprus and
the US closer and "to promote Cyprus as a force for stability in the Eastern
Mediterranean" Novo told Insider.
Unhappy neighbors
Burgeoning US-Cyprus ties would appear to benefit NATO, but not all of the
alliance's members are happy about it. Following USS San Juan's arrival in
April, Turkey publicly backed a statement by the Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus — a breakaway territory that only Turkey recognizes — that criticized the
visit. The Turkish statement described the US as taking actions "at the expense
of disrupting the balance on" Cyprus and called on Washington "to reconsider
these policies." Novo said he doubted that Ankara had "a genuine objection" to
US warships visiting Cyprus. "These activities present no real concern for
Turkey and are not militarily significant for Cyprus," he added, calling the
submarine's visit symbolic. (US submarines also visited the island in 2022 and
2021.) Rather, Novo added, Turkish leaders are "uncomfortable with the new close
ties between the US and Cyprus." Since Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974, the island
has been divided between the Greek-speaking Republic of Cyprus, which is
internationally recognized, in the south and the Turkish-speaking region in the
north, which still hosts some 20,000 Turkish troops. "Putting out an official
press release criticizing the docking of an American ship is a way to make a
little noise and remind Washington that closer relations with Cyprus make people
in Ankara unhappy," Novo said. Growing US ties to Cyprus is only the latest
issue to come between Washington and Ankara, whose relations have deteriorated
in recent years, driven in part by warming Turkish relations with Russia. Turkey
bought Russian S-400 air-defense systems — which prompted the US to expel it
from the F-35 program — and opposed sanctions on Russia over its war against
Ukraine, and Ankara is now suspected of helping Moscow avoid those sanctions. In
April, Russian and Turkish leaders unveiled a Russian-built nuclear power plant
on Turkey's southern coast. Turkey remains one of NATO's largest militaries and
occupies strategically important territory in the alliance's southeastern
corner. It also hosts alliance forces, including US nuclear weapons. Asked about
Turkey's relationship with NATO during the April hearing, Cavoli said he would
"defer" to civilian leaders on policy issues but added "that there is a sharp
difference between our military relationships and our other relationships when
it comes to some countries." Constantine Atlamazoglou works on transatlantic and
European security. He holds a master's degree in security studies and European
affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. You can contact him on
LinkedIn.
Iran’s Inflationary
Quagmire: Economic Challenges and Potential Instability
Saeed Ghasseminejad/FDD/May 17/2023
Iran’s inflation rate in the previous Persian year (March 2022-March 2023)
reached an unsettling 45.8 percent, the state-run Statistical Center of Iran
reported this week. The country’s economic plight, combined with the nationwide
protests that began in September 2022, places the clerical regime in an
increasingly precarious position.
Tehran’s decision to stop publishing detailed inflation data suggests the
government is concerned about the alarming inflation rate. Still, the numbers
available from the Statistical Center indicate a persistently high monthly
inflation rate of 3.7 percent in April.
The situation is further exacerbated by Iran’s non-oil goods trade data, which
show a trade deficit of $6.5 billion. While Iran’s oil exports will cover this
gap in the non-oil trade, the data suggest that Iran’s imports have become
increasingly expensive, adding to the country’s inflationary pressures. The
reports that Tehran has spent $140 billion of its $150 billion sovereign wealth
fund, the National Development Fund, add to concerns in the market about the
government’s access to hard currency. The elevated exchange rate between the
Iranian toman and the U.S. dollar, hovering between 50,000 to 56,000 toman per
dollar, makes imports costlier and further fuels inflation.
Fuel is a key area of concern, as the rapid increase in consumption may be
surpassing, and by some estimates might have surpassed, production — a disparity
that is likely to widen during the summer months.
Meanwhile, several factors are creating an arbitrage opportunity for fuel
smugglers to buy fuel in Iran and sell it in neighboring countries: The
increased dollar exchange rate has substantially reduced the dollar price of
fuel in Iran; Iran subsidizes fuel, while many of its neighbors do not; and
Tehran fixes the rial price of fuel every few years, increasing the value of
subsidies the government offers as the rial loses value.
Furthermore, as the government increasingly faces a budget deficit, raising fuel
prices becomes an attractive option to balance the budget. However, such a
decision could incite another round of protests, reminiscent of the unrest
experienced in September 2022, November 2019, and December 2017.
Iran’s economic predicament is a multifaceted challenge, with mismanagement,
sanctions, and domestic revolutionary sentiment all playing a role in fueling
instability. In this complex environment, Tehran’s leadership needs to recognize
the interconnected nature of these issues and act accordingly.
This entails addressing the root causes of inflation, which is a partly
political endeavor, and finding sustainable solutions that do not merely shift
the burden onto the Iranian populace. This means adopting sound monetary,
fiscal, domestic, and foreign policies that provide a stable environment for
economic growth.
Yet four decades of the Islamic Republic’s history show that Tehran is unwilling
or unable to engage in meaningful reform. Accordingly, another confrontation is
likely between the regime and the disillusioned people who want to overthrow it.
*Saeed Ghasseminejad is a senior advisor on Iran and financial economics at the
Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), where he contributes to FDD’s Iran
Program and Center on Economic and Financial Power (CEFP). Follow Saeed on
Twitter @SGhasseminejad. For more analysis from Saeed and FDD, please subscribe
HERE. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, non-partisan research institute focusing on
national security and foreign policy.
Biden Cowed by China's Aggression
Gordon G. Chang/Gatestone Institute./May 17, 2023
[Hostile elements in senior Chinese Communist Party circles], thanks to the
State Department, now have additional incentives to engage in belligerent
conduct, and, in light of Washington's craven behavior, every nation that looks
to America for security has to be extremely concerned.
[Rick Waters, deputy assistant secretary of state for China and Taiwan] informed
subordinates that Secretary of State Antony Blinken... had delayed
already-planned actions [in response to China's spy balloon] to avoid increasing
tensions with Beijing.
Those planned actions included export-control licensing rules for Huawei
Technologies and sanctions on China's officials for repression of Uyghurs.
Reuters reported that these China measures "have yet to be revived."
Why did the Biden administration delay taking action? It is still devoted to
policies that have failed for three decades. "The recent revelation that senior
State Department officials purposefully directed the postponement of actions
against China following the discovery, and eventual shootdown, of a probable PLA
reconnaissance balloon reflects a return to the ideology of engagement at all
costs," James Fanell of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy told Gatestone.
In short, China has successfully intimidated the American government.
Defenders of the State Department's postponement of the Huawei and Uyghur
measures have suggested that Washington will gain support among fence-sitting
countries by showing that the United States was doing all it could to
accommodate Beijing, ultimately making China appear the recalcitrant party.
Such an argument might have made sense three decades ago, but certainly not at
this late date. If countries by now do not perceive the danger posed by China,
they never will. The way to obtain that consensus is Reagan-style American
leadership — and American coercive diplomacy. Both, at the moment, are in short
supply.
Lowest common denominator solutions — the inevitable result of consensus
building — do not work when danger is imminent. Now, Ukraine has become a
great-power battleground, China and Russia are rapidly destabilizing North
Africa, and the world looks as if it is just one conflict away from global war.
Unfortunately, China cannot stop talking about war and is fast making
preparations for it. Chinese President Xi Jinping is implementing the largest
military buildup since the Second World War; he is trying to sanctions-proof
China; he is stockpiling grain and taking control of all agriculture; he is
surveying America for nuclear weapons strikes; and, most ominously, he is
mobilizing China's civilians for battle. China's military has, Cultural
Revolution-style, launched a purge of officers opposed to war. The recent death
sentence handed down to retired Air Force General Liu Yazhou, who had argued
against an invasion of Taiwan, is of particular concern.
We are running out of time. There is, however, almost no sense of urgency in
Biden's Washington and in the most senior levels of the Pentagon.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had more than 10 hours of meetings with
China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, in Vienna on the 10th and 11th of this month. The
free-wheeling discussions have restarted what Washington Post columnist David
Ignatius approvingly called "constructive engagement."
Beijing, unfortunately, is merely playing the same old game of three decades:
holding out the prospect of talks in order to get American presidents to delay
taking action. Dialogue with a cynical Beijing is almost always fruitless. At
this moment, China is trying to prevent both the G7, which will meet in
Hiroshima starting May 19th, from taking action against Beijing's coercive
economic diplomacy and the Biden administration from issuing long-awaited rules
prohibiting investment into Chinese technology sectors.
Xi appears to believe he has no reason to work "constructively" with America.
"Change is coming that hasn't happened in 100 years," he proclaimed on March 22
while bidding farewell to Vladimir Putin in Moscow after their 40th in-person
chat. "And we are driving this change together."
The Biden administration is even moving in the wrong direction. "The Chinese
Communist Party spent the past 30 years digging their talons into America's
flesh, and a return to engagement will make getting rid of Beijing's influence
even more painful," said Fanell, also a former U.S. Navy captain who served as
Director of Intelligence and Information Operations at the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Once again, Western democracies are not recognizing threats and acting with the
speed and determination required.
China has completely intimidated the Biden administration. Americans — and
others around the world — must worry what happens next.
Hostile elements in senior Chinese Communist Party circles, thanks to the U.S.
State Department, now have additional incentives to engage in belligerent
conduct, and, in light of Washington's craven behavior, every nation that looks
to America for security has to be extremely concerned. Pictured: Then US Deputy
Secretary of State Blinken (right) meets with Liu Yandong, then Vice Premier of
China, in Washington DC on June 24, 2015. (Photo by Chris Kleponis/AFP via Getty
Images)
The State Department delayed imposing sanctions, export controls, and other
measures on China after the Chinese military brazenly flew its large spy balloon
over Alaska, Canada and the lower 48 states in late January and early February.
The postponement of these measures, reported by Reuters on May 11, will almost
certainly strengthen, legitimize, and embolden the most hostile elements in
senior Communist Party circles.
These hostile elements, thanks to the State Department, now have additional
incentives to engage in belligerent conduct, and, in light of Washington's
craven behavior, every nation that looks to America for security has to be
extremely concerned.
"Guidance from S is to push non-balloon actions to the right so we can focus on
symmetric and calibrated response," wrote Rick Waters, deputy assistant
secretary of state for China and Taiwan, in a February 6 email. "We can visit
other actions in a few weeks."
In plain English, Waters informed subordinates that Secretary of State Antony
Blinken— referred to as "S" — had delayed already-planned actions to avoid
increasing tensions with China. Beijing had expressed anger for the shooting
down of the balloon two days before the Waters message.
Those planned actions included export-control licensing rules for Huawei
Technologies and sanctions on China's officials for repression of Uyghurs.
Reuters reported that these China measures "have yet to be revived."
Why did the Biden administration delay taking action? It is still devoted to
policies that have failed for three decades. "The recent revelation that senior
State Department officials purposefully directed the postponement of actions
against China following the discovery, and eventual shootdown, of a probable PLA
reconnaissance balloon reflects a return to the ideology of engagement at all
costs," James Fanell of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy told Gatestone.
Specifically, State Department officials believe that maintaining lines of
communication is critical and apparently worried that after the balloon
incident, China would cut them off indefinitely. Reuters reports that Deputy
Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, generally responsible for the China portfolio,
was especially keen on rescheduling Blinken's visit to Beijing, which he had to
postpone due to the balloon incursion. In short, China has successfully
intimidated the American government.
Defenders of the State Department's postponement of the Huawei and Uyghur
measures have suggested that Washington will gain support among fence-sitting
countries by showing that the United States was doing all it could to
accommodate Beijing, ultimately making China appear the recalcitrant party.
Such an argument might have made sense three decades ago, but certainly not at
this late date. If countries by now do not perceive the danger posed by China,
they never will. The way to obtain that consensus is Reagan-style American
leadership — and American coercive diplomacy. Both, at the moment, are in short
supply. Lowest common denominator solutions — the inevitable result of consensus
building — do not work when danger is imminent. Now, Ukraine has become a
great-power battleground, China and Russia are rapidly destabilizing North
Africa, and the world looks as if it is just one conflict away from global war.
Unfortunately, China cannot stop talking about war and is fast making
preparations for it. Chinese President Xi Jinping is implementing the largest
military buildup since the Second World War; he is trying to sanctions-proof
China; he is stockpiling grain and taking control of all agriculture; he is
surveying America for nuclear weapons strikes; and, most ominously, he is
mobilizing China's civilians for battle. China's military has, Cultural
Revolution-style, launched a purge of officers opposed to war. The recent death
sentence handed down to retired Air Force General Liu Yazhou, who had argued
against an invasion of Taiwan, is of particular concern.
We are running out of time. There is, however, almost no sense of urgency in
Biden's Washington and in the most senior levels of the Pentagon.
Biden, stuck in the post-Cold War glow of the 1990s, seems to think he has
plenty of time to straighten matters out. National Security Advisor Jake
Sullivan had more than 10 hours of meetings with China's top diplomat, Wang Yi,
in Vienna on the 10th and 11th of this month. The free-wheeling discussions have
restarted what Washington Post columnist David Ignatius approvingly called
"constructive engagement."
"Biden's opening to China has been motivated by one simple idea: The United
States doesn't want to start a new Cold War," Ignatius writes. "Biden took too
long to implement this insight, bowing to the new conventional wisdom in
Washington that the more strident the confrontation with China, the better. But
he seems to have found his voice."
Beijing, unfortunately, is merely playing the same old game of three decades:
holding out the prospect of talks in order to get American presidents to delay
taking action. Dialogue with a cynical Beijing is almost always fruitless. At
this moment, China is trying to prevent both the G7, which will meet in
Hiroshima starting May 19th, from taking action against Beijing's coercive
economic diplomacy and the Biden administration from issuing long-awaited rules
prohibiting investment into Chinese technology sectors.
Xi appears to believe he has no reason to work "constructively" with America.
"Change is coming that hasn't happened in 100 years," he proclaimed on March 22
while bidding farewell to Vladimir Putin in Moscow after their 40th in-person
chat. "And we are driving this change together."
Whether or not America is finished as a great power as Xi insists — I believe he
is dead wrong — we are in the middle of events history will remember. Once
again, Western democracies are not recognizing threats and acting with the speed
and determination required.
The Biden administration is even moving in the wrong direction. "The Chinese
Communist Party spent the past 30 years digging their talons into America's
flesh, and a return to engagement will make getting rid of Beijing's influence
even more painful," said Fanell, also a former U.S. Navy captain who served as
Director of Intelligence and Information Operations at the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
"We are told there is a bipartisan consensus about confronting China today
within the U.S. Congress, but this will be increasingly hard to implement if the
executive branch returns to this failed engagement policy."
China has completely intimidated the Biden administration. Americans — and
others around the world — must worry what happens next.
Gordon G. Chang is the author of The Coming Collapse of China, a Gatestone
Institute distinguished senior fellow, and a member of its Advisory Board.
© 2023 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.
A Global Pandemic: The Jihadist Rape of
Christian Women
Raymond Ibrahim/Gatestone Institute/May17/2023
The global targeting of Christian women for rape and sexual violence appears to
be at an all-time high, especially in the Muslim world, according to a new
study.
Open Doors, a human rights organization that tracks the global persecution of
Christians, recently published reports examining the role of gender. One of
these, “A Web of Forces: The 2023 Gender Report,” ranks nations based on the
category of “gender-specific religious persecution” (or GSRP), and shows how a
victim’s male or female gender shapes their respective persecution.
According to the report:
Globally, Christian women and girls often find themselves caught in a
particularly complex web of compounding vulnerabilities. They are not only
vulnerable as Christians … but their additional gender-determined
vulnerabilities overlap and interact to a greater extent than for Christian men
and boys in the same contexts. These are environments where all females
experience a disadvantaged status as women before the law or in society, bias
against their lack of education or an elevated risk of poverty. These multiple
vulnerabilities compound one another – like the multiplying forces of compound
interest in a bank. Religious persecution exploits the existence of these many
interlinking and compounding forces, aggravating the damage to individual women
and girls, their families and their communities.
The top five “pressure points” Christian women experience are: 1) sexual
violence; 2) forced marriage; 3) physical violence; 4) incarceration or house
arrest by male family members; and 5) psychological violence.
Although all five pressure points are often interconnected, the first—“sexual
violence” against Christian women for their faith—is by far the most common and
widespread. As the report emphasizes,
Faith-based sexual violence is recorded as a risk for Christian women and girls
in 86% [of the top 50 nations where Christians are most persecuted in general].
Sexual violence is consistently chosen time and time again to target Christian
women and girls across the globe…. The physical and psychol-emotional severity
of sexual violence is considerable and well-understood, but the effectiveness of
sexual violence is also due to the myriad of damaging consequences that can
ensue. A web of complicit forces can worsen its impact and lead to loss of
shelter, food, future opportunities and community [bold in original].
Of the top 20 nations where gender most shapes the experience of persecution for
female Christians, 18 are either Muslim-majority or have a significant Muslim
population. They are: 1) Nigeria, 2) Cameroon, 3) Somalia, 4) Sudan, 5) Syria,
6) Ethiopia, 7) Niger, 8) India, 9) Pakistan, 10) Mali, 11) Iran, 12)
Mozambique, 13) Eritrea, 14) Burkina Faso, 15) Central African Republic, 16)
Afghanistan, 16) Democratic Republic of the Congo, 18) Colombia, 19) Egypt, 20)
Tunisia.
A representative sampling of the aforementioned African, Arab, and Asian nations
follows in no particular order:
Nigeria: “[Christian] Women and girls have been raped, forced into sexual
slavery, kidnapped for ransom and killed.… Abduction is used regularly to
depopulate Christian-dominated territory and impoverish Christian families. Most
commonly, Christian girls are abducted and have been known to be trafficked by
radical Islamic religious leaders for the purpose of forced marriage and forced
conversion – even women who are already married…. Of late, Emirs have provided a
special covering for abductors of minors, they collect the minors from the
abductors and convert them to Islam then marry them off to willing Muslims, who
often rape the minors to impregnate them. The emirs act like their parents,
while their biological parents are denied access to them. When parents try to
rescue their child, they commonly face resistance from the community, police and
judiciary, who argue the marriage is legitimate under Islamic law and the girl
has accepted Islam. In addition to being “married,” girls abducted by militants
have reportedly been used as suicide bombers, human shields or as leverage in
negotiations with the government or their families…. Violence against women is
also used as a weapon to harm Christian men. Men and boys have been forced to
watch their wives, mothers, daughters and sisters be raped in front of them, or
abducted, causing deep trauma and feelings of helplessness, as they feel they
should have been able to protect them.”
Syria: “Christian women and girls regularly experience harassment and acts of
discrimination in the public sphere, even being seduced deliberately in an
attempt to convert them to Islam. For example, if a Muslim shop owner sees a
woman in a hijab and another who is wearing a cross, she might well keep the
Christian waiting and potentially even raise the price for her. Women have also
reported being spat at in the street and discriminated against in the workplace.
Christian women are most vulnerable to persecution in areas controlled by
Islamist groups. For female converts (particularly those from a Muslim
background), violence can come from their own families and communities.”
Somalia: “Young female converts to Christianity remain one of the most
vulnerable populations. Commonly, a woman suspected of Christianity will be
humiliated in public, kept under strict house arrest, raped, abducted, forcibly
married to a radical sheikh or killed. For example, when a female convert to
Christianity was this year discovered by her family, [she was] arrested in her
room and tied on her bed with a chain for six months until another believer was
able to come to the rescue. If already married, she will likely be divorced and
have her children taken away to ensure that they are raised in an Islamic way.”
Pakistan: “Christian women and girls are at risk of sexual violence in the
public sphere, including in the workplace and in schools. Many of them are
maids, or cleaners, and are targeted for sexual exploitation. …. [I]t is
becoming the norm to rape Christian children [some as young as three]…. The
psychological trauma and abuse continues even if a case is brought to bring back
the girl…. [One Christian woman] committed suicide because of abuse and sexual
harassment, departmental negligence and religious oppression…. Many families
never see their girls again, partly because the authorities rarely take
meaningful action to bring perpetrators to justice…. The legal system repeatedly
fails these young women. Many between the ages of 8-18 are being abducted, raped
and married to older men. Some of them over 50 years old…. There are also
reports of Christian boys being subject to sexual abuse. Experts indicate that
instances of rape and murder of young boys are on the rise in Pakistan…”
Yemen: “[A female convert to Christianity] might be isolated in the home,
physically and mentally abused, and possibly given in marriage to a devout
Muslim, raped or even killed to ‘restore the honor’ of the tribe or family….
Christian women and girls also risk being sexually abused at the hands of
militias due to the concept of ‘anfal’ [Arabic for “spoils”], which permits
non-Muslims in some circumstances to be treated as slaves as part of the spoils
of war (Quran, Surah Al-Anfal). According to local experts these groups are
running prostitution rings in the country.” [For more on the topic of slavery
and concubinage in Islam see here, here, and here.]
Chad: “Christian women in Chad face both violent and non-violent persecution for
their faith. Christian women are also vulnerable to sexual violence at the hands
of Islamic militants. … Women and girls who have been raped and consequently
impregnated typically suffer ongoing psychological distress and low self-esteem.
Traumatized rape victims sometimes view their children as a perpetual reminder
of the crime committed against them. Local sources report that the wider society
around them, too, is unsympathetic to their plight, viewing them as tarnished.
Egypt: “Christian women are targeted for marriage by grooming, rape and forced
conversion by Islamist networks… Police response has been often complicit or
apathetic and many women remain missing. The psychological toll is high, and
many women live in fear…”
Democratic Republic of Congo: “Christian women are vulnerable to abduction,
rape, trafficking, and sexual slavery, especially by ADF [Allied Democratic
Forces, an Islamic terror group]… Women and girls are raped, forced to marry ADF
soldiers and others are trafficked. Sometimes these women and girls are killed.
Many Christian women who are spared are reportedly kept as a kind of ‘trophy.’ …
These forced marriages are often early marriages, as sources report that elderly
Muslim men often prefer young Christian girls.
Saudi Arabia: “[R]ape and sexual assault are commonplace across Saudi Arabia for
the thousands of non-Saudi (especially Asian and African) housemaids across the
country who are Christian (or non-Islamic), a position in which they are
commonly abused and virtually treated as slaves.”
Tunisia: “As conversion from Islam is forbidden, converts from Islam face the
greatest breadth of persecution if their faith is discovered. … They may be
physically beaten, expelled from their home, put under house arrest, threatened
with death and/or raped. If already married, she will likely be divorced, have
her children taken away and have her financial support withdrawn. Some Christian
women have been separated from their children for prolonged periods due to
disputes related to their new Christian faith.”
United Arab Emirates: “A female convert to Christianity will face immense
pressure from her family to force her to convert back to Islam. If she does not,
an imam may be called in to convince her of her sin, or she could be placed
under house arrest. Even if a Christian man were willing to marry her, women who
come from a Muslim background are legally restricted from marrying a non-Muslim…
[F]or Christian women who are married to a Muslim man, the law grants custody of
children of non-Muslim women to the Muslim father in the event of a divorce….
House-maids working in the UAE often face sexual harassment or slave-like
treatment.”
Among other sad conclusions, these disturbing trends make one thing clear: the
notorious sexual abuses that the Islamic State (“ISIS”) committed against
Christians, Yazidis, and other non-Muslim minorities—which the world heard of,
but was also reassured had “nothing to do with Islam”—are, in fact, part and
parcel of Muslim societies, whether they be African, Arab, or Asian, and whether
they be rich or poor.
Erdogan scents victory as Turkish presidential election
goes to a runoff
Yasar Yakis/Arab News/May 17/2023
The elections that were held in Turkiye on Sunday produced both conclusive and
inconclusive results.
The parliamentary elections concluded with the victory of the present government
coalition, composed of the ruling Justice and Development Party, known as the
AKP, the far-right Nationalist Movement Party and the New Welfare Party. This
coalition obtained 49.9 percent of the votes, giving it 322 seats in the
parliament, while the opposition coalition obtained 35 percent and 213 seats.
The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party, which promised to support the
opposition coalition, obtained 10.5 percent of the votes and earned 65 seats in
the parliament.
As the parliamentary majority will be held by the present government coalition,
all that the opposition coalition will be able to do is prevent the adoption of
any decision that requires a qualified majority.
In the presidential election, Recep Tayyip Erdogan got 49.5 percent of the
votes. Therefore, there will be a runoff. Erdogan has a better chance of winning
the second round because he will mobilize all potentials of the state to ensure
his victory.
The elections unfolded amid relative calm, without any major events. The
atmosphere was tense until a few days ago. In the eastern province of Erzincan,
stones were thrown at Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, as he was
addressing a meeting of his party. He would have been a candidate for the post
of deputy president of the republic if the opposition coalition had won the
election. Some participants in the meeting were wounded by the stones aimed at
Imamoglu. The police did not do anything to prevent the incident.
If Erdogan emerges victorious in the second round, he will either continue the
policies he has followed so far or he might make some adjustments in light of
the lessons he has drawn from past experience. Both options are likely.
Kemal Kilicdaroglu will face Erdogan in the runoff and, if he were to win, more
options are likely because the composition of the opposition in parliament may
cause problems for the parties that make up this bloc.
As far as Turkiye’s foreign policy after the elections is concerned, there are
several options. If Erdogan remains as president, the country’s foreign policy
is likely to remain more or less unchanged. But if Kilicdaroglu manages to
become president, some changes are almost certain. The most important one will
probably be regarding Turkiye’s Syria policy. Kilicdaroglu strongly supports the
withdrawal of the Turkish military presence from Syria and sending back as many
Syrian refugees as possible.
Another area where Kilicdaroglu may take the initiative is Turkiye’s accession
process to the EU. This does not mean that accession may materialize any time
soon, but it may make more efforts to fulfill the EU’s Copenhagen political
convergence criteria and Maastricht economic criteria. Kilicdaroglu may also
seek ways to find an accommodation with Greece.
Regarding Turkiye’s relations with Middle Eastern countries, Kilicdaroglu may
return to Ankara’s traditional policy of not taking sides in inter-Arab
conflicts. He also seems to be intent on putting an end to Erdogan’s strong bias
in favor of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Another presidential contender, Sinan Ogan, got 5.2 percent of the votes in the
first round. He participated in the presidential race in order to be able to
negotiate concessions with Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu. He is politically closer to
the present opposition coalition, but he is strongly against its cooperation
with the pro-Kurdish party. Therefore, he has become an important stakeholder in
the delicate balance between Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu.
Another minor contender for the presidential election was Muharrem Ince of the
Homeland Party. He was also running in order to negotiate with the potential
presidents, but he decided to withdraw from the race three days before the
election. His name remained on ballots and he obtained 0.3 percent of the votes.
Ince was originally a member of the main opposition Republican People’s Party,
known as the CHP. He ran against Erdogan for the presidential post in 2018 and
got 30.8 percent of the votes. But these were mainly the CHP’s votes, not Ince’s.
This time, having given up on the presidential race, he encouraged his members
to vote for the Homeland Party. This was a futile suggestion, because the
party’s votes are almost insignificant. Therefore, such votes would be wasted.
Erdogan has a better chance of winning the second round.
The government did not miss the opportunity to harshly criticize the failure to
cope with floods caused by heavy rains on the day before the elections. These
occurred in municipalities held by the opposition, while the government kept
silent about similar floods in municipalities held by the AKP.
Just days before the elections, Kilicdaroglu made an unnecessary statement that
cast a shadow on Turkish-Russian relations. Referring to Russia, he said: “If
you want the continuation of our friendship after May 15, get your hands off the
Turkish state. We are still in favor of cooperation and friendship.”
Kilicdaroglu said this one day before Ince gave up in the presidential race.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected claims of Russian interference. He
said: “We officially declare, there can be no talk of any interference. If
someone provided Mr. Kilicdaroglu with such information, they are liars.”
Erdogan followed up Peskov’s statement by saying: “If you attack Putin, I will
not tolerate this.” Kilicdaroglu claimed that he would not have raised this
subject if he did not have evidence of possible interference by Russia.
Russia is a country that is important for Turkiye in all circumstances. Ankara
and Moscow have so many common interests in their bilateral relations. A nuclear
power station is under construction by Russia in Turkiye. It will be owned and
operated by Moscow. It would be a pity if such an inadvertent exchange of blame
were to leave indelible traces in their relations.
*Yasar Yakis is a former foreign minister of Turkiye and founding member of the
ruling AK Party. Twitter: @yakis_yasar