LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

August 24/16

Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani

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http://www.eliasbejjaninews.com/newsbulletin16/english.august24.16.htm

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Bible Quotations For Today

Jesus heals the Ten Lepers
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 17/11-19/:"On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’"

No one, when tempted, should say, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one.
Letter of James 01/09-18/:"Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised up, and the rich in being brought low, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is the same with the rich; in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away. Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. No one, when tempted, should say, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my beloved. Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfilment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on August 23-24/16

Sheik Bachir: We Miss You & Long For Your Leadership Calibre/Elias Bejjani/August 23/16.
Memories with Bashir/Walid Phares/August 23/16
Exhibition shows how Lebanon shaped the modern world/The Northen Echo/August 23/16/
Turkey re-evaluates its vital interests/Eyad Abu Shakra/Al Arabiya 23/16
Turkey’s nightmare is unfolding in Syria/Joyce Karam/Al Arabiya 23/16
Countries of chaos and prospects of disintegration/Turki Aldakhil/Al Arabiya 23/16
Russia’s agile foreign policy and its benefits/Maria Dubovikova/Al Arabiya 23/16
Omran doesn’t need tears, Ms. Bolduan… he needs us to do our jobs!/Faisal J. Abbas/Al Arabiya 23/16/
No Saudi Money for American Mosques/Daniel Pipes/The Hill/August 23/16
Turkey's Exhausting Zigzagging Between East and West/Burak Bekdil/Gatestone Institute/August 23/16
Hamas, Palestinian Authority Target Journalists Ahead of Election/Khaled Abu Toameh/Gatestone Institute/August 23/16
Ban the Burqa, Allow the Burkini/Daniel PipesظPhiladelphia Inquirer/August 23/16
Who Should Rule Syria/Jonathan Spyer/The Spectator/August 23/16

Titles For Latest Lebanese Related News published on on August 23-24/16
Sheik Bachir: We Miss You & Long For Your Leadership Calibre
Memories with Bashir
Nadim Gemayel upon 34th anniversary of Bashir Gemayel's election: Coexistence is threatened
Mashnouq: Mustaqbal Seeking President who Can Protect State, Not Awaiting Foreign Instructions
U.S. Army Mideast Commander Joseph Votel Visits Lebanon
FPM Says to Boycott Cabinet as 'Warning', Cautions against 'System Crisis'
FPM Escalation to Stay 'Limited' amid Contacts to Secure Cabinet Stability
Shehayyeb Hopes 'Forces of Obstruction' Won't Join Kataeb Protests, Warns of Return of Trash to Streets
FPM to Join Kataeb's Bourj Hammoud Sit-in to Say 'Street Protests are an Option'
Moussawi Defends 'Resistance Brigades', Says Saudi Blocking Aoun's Election
Lebanese arrested in Bekaa for explosives transfer
Geagea discusses latest developments with Shehayyeb, Kanaan
Tashnag: Bourj Hammoud will stop receiving trash as of tomorrow
Future bloc renews calls to elect new president
Kahwaji after meeting Votel: We thank US authorites on military aid to army
Pharoun recommends postponing Thursday Cabinet session to avert political tension
Exhibition shows how Lebanon shaped the modern world

Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And News published on on August 23-24/16

Iran Says It Requested Russian Strikes on Syria's Aleppo
Syria Regime, Kurds Agree Truce in Hasakeh
U.S. Warns Syrian Regime Not to Fly near Coalition Troops
Turkey Strikes IS as Syria Border Tensions Flare
OAS Chief Says No Democracy, Rule of Law in Venezuela
Israel Nets Arms in West Bank Factory Raids
Palestinian Suspect in Police Killings Beaten to Death
U.N. Bracing for Massive Flight from Iraq's Mosul
Police Probe Terror as Motive in U.S. Knife Attack
Muslim Mob Kills Eight in Northern Nigeria
Czech PM Says No to 'Large Muslim Community'

Links From Jihad Watch Site for on August 23-24/16
New study finally acknowledges that Islamic religious zeal inspires jihad
Virginia knife attack may be Islamic State-inspired beheading attempt
Iran says new missiles will be designed specifically to kill US ships
Video: Robert Spencer on Black Lives Matter and the Leftist/Islamic Alliance
Sweden: 40 sexual assaults at music festival, all by Muslim migrants
UK: Justice ministry rejects plan to ban Friday prayers in prisons to curb jihad activity
France has arrested as many people for jihad terror links in first half of 2016 as in all of 2015
Germany to require citizens to stockpile supplies in case of “development that could threaten our existence”

Latest Lebanese Related News published on on August 23-24/16

Sheik Bachir: We Miss You & Long For Your Leadership Calibre
Elias Bejjani/August 23/16

http://eliasbejjaninews.com/2016/08/23/elias-bejjani-sheik-bachir-we-miss-you-long-for-your-leadership-calibre/

John13/15: “The greatest love you can have for your friends is to give your life for them”.
Free patriotic Lebanese citizens in both occupied Lebanon, and all over the world remember annually on August 23, with pride, honour and anguish Sheik Bachir’s anniversary electoral presidential day. The “Dream” leader Sheik Bachir Gemayel was elected president for Lebanon on 23 August/1982.
Unfortunately and sadly Sheik Bachir was assassinated by Syrian agents before he was able to assume his presidential responsibilities because these stone age terrorists feared his honesty, nationalism, devotion, determination, courage and strong will.
Sheik Bachir who successfully led the Lebanese Christian resistance against the PLO and the Arab dictatorships, fanatic regimes and their regional and global terrorist organizations is seen as a unique national and patriotic hero in many Lebanese eyes from all Lebanese religious denominations. He is still highly considered to be a remarkable leader that Free Patriotic Lebanese people love, adore and cherish. God bless his soul.
Sheik Bachir was extremely faithful, devoted to Lebanon’s cause of freedom, committed to the Lebanese rights and dignity, never compromised on his solid and transparent national stances or cajoled or appeased on the account of the Lebanese holy cause.
With strong self confidence, self respect, dignity and fear of Almighty God he continuously witnessed for the truth no matter what, and openly, courageously and loudly uttered what must be said.
He loved both his people and his country and accepted with no fear or hesitation to be a sacrifice on their alter.
Thirty Four years after his departure Bachir’s dream, vision, and leadership role model are still vivid and alive in the souls hears and minds of the majority of the Lebanese in Lebanon and all over the world.
The Syrian Bathist assassins who are now killing and murdering their own people, were able to kill his body, but definitely failed to kill his dream in a sovereign, free and independent Lebanon.
Thirty four three years passed and the free Lebanese still strongly believe in Bachir’s dream and are struggling with courage and faith to make it happen and become a reality.
By God’s will and blessings they will achieve this goal no matter what the sacrifices will be.
Sadly the majority of the current corrupted and deviated Lebanese officials, religious and political leaders are dead in the eyes of many faithful, free and patriotic Lebanese, while in reality these leaders are still alive and breathing.
Meanwhile Bachir who was assassinated 33 years ago is still alive in the hearts and minds of all these strong will Lebanese.
Those criminals and terrorists who killed Bachir, killed only his ash body, but failed to kill his dream or his the deeply rooted love in the hearts of the Lebanese
Every Free and Patriotic Lebanese is Bachir, and that’s why Bachir is still alive as well as his dream.
God Bless Sheik Bachir’s Soul
Long Live Freedom

Memories with Bashir
Walid Phares/August 23/16
My first conversations with Bashir Gemayel, were at the school we both attended, in two different generations, the Institut Moderne du Liban (IML). Then I was in his classroom where he taught Civic Education at that same school. There he discovered that I had already been an avid reader of history of the country and the region, while still at high school. My older brother Sami who was attending Saint Joseph University with him, had guided me in readings while I was still in middle school. Bashir liked my papers and asked to see me after the year was over in Ashrafieh. We met several times in Sioufi and at his law offices in Hamra. He was very concerned about the terror threat against Lebanon. But at times he would tell me. "The greatest threat we have is not the outside enemies, but the internal politics of our people" (the community). "We will be able to surmount the pressures from the foes, but I don't know if our political culture can sustain greater challenges. Look we don't have books for our students detailing the real history of this country. I don't know how your brother and yourself got that information" I told him "from archives never used by the state." He seemed to be frustrated because while he felt the people was in need of narrative, there were very few publications. I told him I am still at school, no one would take me seriously if I wanted to publish a book. I will have to wait until I finish a degree. Unfortunately the war came too fast. Kaslik released a few essays in 1975, not enough. My first book came out only in 1979, thanks to Kaslik. More publications were released since. Bashir wanted to encourage a mass reform of the educational system in Lebanon. In a speech delivered in August 1982, few refer to, he committed that a new Lebanon will be pluralist and its history books will reflect the entire history of Lebanon and of all its communities, with no exception. He added "I want the whole truth to be said, even if that truth is difficult to be said."
But Bashir was killed in September...
(From Memoirs)
Photo at the IML school in 1969

Nadim Gemayel upon 34th anniversary of Bashir Gemayel's election: Coexistence is threatened
Tue 23 Aug 2016/NNA - MP Nadim Gemayel indicated, in a ceremony held upon the 34th anniversary of his late father, Bashir Gemayel's election as president of the Lebanese republic, at Azrieh School in Ashrafieh, that coexistence in the country was threatened, and so was social security.
"The situation is very dangerous. Lebanon is in danger," he said. "Not only are the entity and the nation threatened, but also the dignity of citizens," he indicated. "Lebanon is without a president. There is no real effective government. And there is no parliamentary life. Moreover, more than half of the Lebanese are migrants," he remarked. "Terrorism is at threshold, while there are no growth, no investments, no tourism," he deplored. "The Lebanese youth are being killed in Syria; Hezbollah's statelet, weapons, wars, terrorism, economy, and disruption of the political and democratic life, are the reasons undermining the nation," he considered. "We are committed to filling the presidential vacuum," he concluded.

Mashnouq: Mustaqbal Seeking President who Can Protect State, Not Awaiting Foreign Instructions
Naharnet/August 23/16/Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq announced Tuesday that al-Mustaqbal Movement is seeking “a president for the republic who can protect the safety and structure of the State,” stressing that the movement is not “awaiting foreign instructions” regarding the presidential vote.
“We in Mustaqbal are not a party that wastes time over the game of candidates. We are not looking for a candidate but rather for a president with whom we would restore the regularity of our political system. We are not searching for a candidate but rather for a president with whom we would protect the safety and structure of the State,” said Mashnouq during a Tripoli rally marking the third anniversary of the deadly bombings that hit two mosques in the northern city. “We are a responsible political party that considers the prolongation of the presidential void a crime against Lebanon, its political system and the regularity of its national and political life. We will spare no effort to put an end to the irregularity of vacuum,” the minister vowed. “Those who want to discuss the presidency with us know very well the serious approach to address this file according to the rules of constitution and partnership,” he added, stressing that his movement “does not await foreign instructions.” Hizbullah MP Nawwaf al-Moussawi on Monday accused Riyadh of using its influence over Mustaqbal to block the election of Free Patriotic Movement founder MP Michel Aoun as president. “We know that the internal rift in the other camp reflects the hesitation of its regional leadership (Saudi Arabia), which has not apparently informed its MPs in Lebanon of its decision until the moment. It has not given them the nod to elect General Aoun as president,” Moussawi claimed. “We know that a lot of Mustaqbal Movement officials and MPs support the election of General Aoun but they cannot oppose the will of their regional leadership, which is still rejecting settlements and agreements in Yemen, Syria and Lebanon,” the lawmaker added. Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014 and Hizbullah, Aoun's Change and Reform bloc and some of their allies have been boycotting the parliament's electoral sessions, stripping them of the needed quorum. Hariri, who is close to Saudi Arabia, launched an initiative in late 2015 to nominate Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh for the presidency but his proposal was met with reservations from the country's main Christian parties as well as Hizbullah. Hariri's move prompted Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea to endorse the nomination of Aoun, his long-time Christian rival. The supporters of Aoun's presidential bid argue that he is more eligible than Franjieh to become president due to the size of his parliamentary bloc and his bigger influence in the Christian community.

U.S. Army Mideast Commander Joseph Votel Visits Lebanon
Naharnet/August 23/16/U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Joseph L. Votel visited Lebanon Tuesday as part of a multi-stop tour of the Middle East, the U.S. Embassy said. Votel met with Army Commander General Jean Qahwagi and other key leaders of the Lebanese Armed Forces. He also observed Lebanese marine commando exercises at the Amchit military base. During his meetings with the Lebanese army, Votel reaffirmed “the Lebanese-American partnership in countering the threat of terrorism and reiterated the United States’ long term commitment to supporting the LAF in its role as the sole defender of Lebanon,” the embassy said in a statement. “As I have heard repeatedly from American military trainers here, the Lebanese Armed Forces are second to none. Their skills, professionalism, dedication to duty, and commitment to defend their country are unsurpassed,” Votel said in Amchit. “America is proud to support Lebanon’s brave military members who risk their lives every day to keep this country safe,” he added. “The LAF continue to do an extraordinary job in confronting extremist threats arising from across the Syrian border. The Force has demonstrated to enemies and friends alike that they are strong, fully capable of defending Lebanon’s borders, and have the support of the Lebanese people,” Votel went on to say. “The LAF is a strong institution, and America has been and will continue to be the army’s steadfast and foremost security partner. The U.S. has provided over $1.4 billion dollars in security assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces since 2005,” the general added.

FPM Says to Boycott Cabinet as 'Warning', Cautions against 'System Crisis'
Naharnet/August 23/16/Free Patriotic Movement chief and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil announced Tuesday that the FPM has decided to boycott Thursday's cabinet session as a “warning message,” cautioning that the country might be plunged into a political “system crisis” if the other parties do not heed the movement's demands. “We have decided to boycott Thursday's cabinet session in order to send a warning message aimed at putting an end to the violation of the law,” said Bassil after the weekly meeting of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc in Rabieh. It was not immediately clear if the minister of the Tashnag Party -- which is part of the bloc -- would join Bassil and Education Minister Elias Bou Saab in their boycott. “The issue has to do with respecting the National Pact in the government's meetings. Will it convene without us? Will it convene in the absence of the Christian forces?” Bassil added, highlighting the fact that the Lebanese Forces and the Kataeb Party are not represented in the cabinet. “They are preventing the election of a president in a manner that respects the National Pact and they are blocking the approval of an electoral law that respects the National Pact, so are they also seeking a government that is in violation of the National Pact?” Bassil asked. The 1943 National Pact is an unwritten agreement that distributed power among the country's religious communities and set the foundations of modern Lebanon as a multi-confessional state. “In light of the answers of the prime minister and the government's components, we could face a system crisis after Thursday's session, although we are defending the political system through demanding its proper implementation,” Bassil warned. “Will our partners in the country accept a government that governs in the absence of Christians? Without all Lebanese components, Lebanon itself is absent and as a movement, we are always ready to take to the streets to defend dignity,” he added. The FPM's decision is linked to the thorny issue of military appointments. Last week, Defense Minister Samir Moqbel postponed the retirement of Higher Defense Council chief Maj. Gen. Mohammed Kheir after no consensus was reached over three candidates that he had proposed, angering the FPM which says that it opposes term extensions for all senior officers. The movement fears that the extension of Kheir's term could pave the way for a new extension of the tenure of Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji next month. Qahwaji's retirement had been postponed in September 2013 and his term was instead extended for two years.

FPM Escalation to Stay 'Limited' amid Contacts to Secure Cabinet Stability
Naharnet/August 23/16/The Free Patriotic Movement's expected escalation over the file of military appointments will remain “limited” and will not reach the extent of toppling the government, a media report said on Tuesday. “The FPM's escalation will not topple the government, because forcing its collapse would affect the September 5 national dialogue, the Hizbullah-Mustaqbal bilateral dialogue, and Lebanon's participation in the meeting of the U.N. General Assembly in New York next month,” An Nahar newspaper quoted unnamed sources as saying. The sources revealed that contacts are underway to secure stability during the cabinet's upcoming session, noting that Prime Minister Tammam Salam has recently avoided voicing any stances that could be perceived as provocation by some parties. “He is keen on maintaining the cabinet's work and he will intensify his contacts in the next 24 hours to ensure a calm atmosphere during Thursday's session and the approval of the needed decisions,” the sources added. According to information obtained by An Nahar, Speaker Nabih Berri is supporting Salam in his efforts to preserve the cabinet, with Hizbullah also informing all relevant parties that it is keen on the survival of the government. And as sources pointed out that the FPM's escalatory options could involve several steps ranging from street protests to suspending participation in the cabinet's meetings or even resigning, al-Liwaa newspaper stressed that the movement “will not go too far in its escalation.”“It clearly does not have the ability to resign from the cabinet or suspend participation,” the daily said. According to al-Liwaa's information, the FPM's allies – both Hizbullah and the Lebanese Forces – do not want to see the country “plunging into the unknown.” Change and Reform bloc sources meanwhile told the newspaper that “no decision has been taken until the moment to boycott cabinet sessions” while calling for awaiting the decisions that will be announced after the bloc's weekly meeting on Tuesday.

Shehayyeb Hopes 'Forces of Obstruction' Won't Join Kataeb Protests, Warns of Return of Trash to Streets
Naharnet/August 23/16/Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayyeb, who is in charge of overseeing the government's emergency waste management plan, hoped Tuesday that the Free Patriotic Movement will not be allowed to join Kataeb Party's protests outside the Bourj Hammoud landfill, as he warned that the alternative to the plan would be the return of the piles of trash that invaded the country's streets, forests and riverbanks last year. “We hope our friends in the Kataeb Party will not allow the 'forces of obstruction' to sneak into their party, because tampering with the country's health security is intolerable,” said Shehayyeb at a press conference, noting that Lebanon is already wrangling with a lengthy “political paralysis.”Media reports have said that the FPM will join Kataeb's protests outside the Bourj Hammoud landfill. “Kataeb Party chief Sami Gemayel said that 35% of the garbage can be recycled but such a rate is only obtainable when the waste is sorted at the source,” Shehayyeb added. And noting that political forces and protest movements had prevented the government from finding sites other than Costa Brava and Bourj Hammound for the garbage landfills, the minister cautioned that “the alternative would be the return of the trash to the streets once again.”“We know that it is not the ideal solution, but let the 'merchants of environment' spare us their criticism,” Shehayyeb went on to say, calling on all parties, “especially the friend Sheikh Sami Gemayel, to turn all their energy into a positive energy in the next four years in order to monitor the work at the Bourj Hammoud and Costa Brava landfills.”The minister also revealed that Bourj Hammoud's municipal chief has informed the Council for Development and Reconstruction that the municipality would not allow the dumping of waste at the site as of Wednesday should works to establish the landfill remain suspended, out of fear that the piles of garbage would become a “mountain of garbage” that poses health and environmental risks to the region. “This is their right,” Shehayyeb added, voicing support for the municipal chief's warning. “Those who have a long heritage in politics must stand by the State, not against it,” the minister went on to say, referring to Gemayel and his political dynasty. Gemayel has recently warned of health and environmental risks resulting from the dumping unsorted and unrecycled waste at the Bourj Hammoud site, noting that “it is easy to find alternatives through endorsing a decentralized waste management plan.” The country's unprecedented waste management crisis erupted in July last year when the country's central landfill in Naameh was closed amid the government's failure to find alternatives. The crisis saw streets, forests and riverbeds overflowing with trash for several months and triggered unprecedented street protests against the entire political class that sometimes turned violent.

FPM to Join Kataeb's Bourj Hammoud Sit-in to Say 'Street Protests are an Option'
Naharnet/August 23/16/The Free Patriotic Movement is expected to join the Kataeb Party and the Tashnag Party in a protest scheduled for Tuesday outside the Bourj Hammoud garbage landfill, in a move aimed at sending a “message” that “street protests are an option,” a media report said on Tuesday.
The FPM's participation comes less than 24 hours prior to Kataeb chief MP Sami Gemayel's trip to Moscow where he will take part in “a series of Russian talks with Lebanese leaders, especially Christian leaders,” al-Liwaa newspaper reported. A Christian source described the FPM's participation as “an attempt at polishing its image and at sending a message to the relevant parties that street protests remain one of its options.” The movement's street protests would begin in “the second half of September when the decision to extend the term of Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji starts to loom,” the source added. Kataeb protesters have been staging a sit-in outside the landfill for several days now in an attempt to prevent the dumping of unsorted garbage at the site, citing environmental and health concerns. Gemayel held a press conference several days ago during which he criticized the minister in charge of overseeing the waste management emergency plan, Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayyeb, vowing that Kataeb's protests will continue.Gemayel also accused the Council for Development and Reconstruction of being involved in “suspicious” waste management tenders.

Moussawi Defends 'Resistance Brigades', Says Saudi Blocking Aoun's Election
Naharnet/August 23/16/Hizbullah MP Nawwaf al-Moussawi on Monday defended the Hizbullah-linked Resistance Brigades after Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq's latest criticism of the group and accused Riyadh of blocking the election of Free Patriotic Movement founder MP Michel Aoun as president. “The campaigns against a main faction of the resistance factions in Lebanon, the Resistance Brigades, are aimed at harming its reputation and attacking its nature, structure and objectives,” said Moussawi during a Hizbullah ceremony in the southern town of Kafra. “We know the motives behind these campaigns and we do not intend to engage in an exchange of tirades with anyone... We know that the political and media campaigns against the Resistance Brigades are aimed at dragging us into a debate that conceals the contradictions inside the other camp, which is divided over the presidential elections,” the MP added, apparently referring to Mustaqbal Movement. “We also know that the internal rift in the other camp reflects the hesitation of its regional leadership (Saudi Arabia), which has not apparently informed its MPs in Lebanon of its decision until the moment. It has not given them the nod to elect General Aoun as president,” Moussawi claimed. On Friday, Interior Minister Mashnouq of Mustaqbal Movement blasted the Hizbullah-affiliated Resistance Brigades as “occupation brigades.” “The latest show of force was what I read in a newspaper that the Resistance Brigades – whom I call the strife brigades – have a 50,000-strong army as well as domestic missions,” said Mashnouq. The decision to create the Resistance Brigades was taken in 1997 by Hizbullah's leadership. The group comprised Lebanese young men who wanted to fight the Israeli occupation of south Lebanon without having to officially join Hizbullah. The group was not disbanded after Israel's withdrawal from the South in the year 2000 and Hizbullah's rivals have in recent years accused the Brigades of recruiting “thugs” and individuals who have criminal records. Moreover, Moussawi added in his speech on Monday that “real partnership with Christians” in state institutions “begins by electing General Aoun as president,” stressing that Aoun's nomination enjoys the biggest popular and political support in the Christian community. “We know that a lot of Mustaqbal Movement officials and MPs support the election of General Aoun but they cannot oppose the will of their regional leadership, which is still rejecting settlements and agreements in Yemen, Syria and Lebanon,” the lawmaker added.
He also called for “separating the Lebanese file from the crises of the region,” urging Lebanon's friends to “exert efforts with a well-known regional country to persuade it to free the presidential post from its captivity and not to link it to the Yemeni and Syrian crises.” Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014 and Hizbullah, Aoun's Change and Reform bloc and some of their allies have been boycotting the parliament's electoral sessions, stripping them of the needed quorum. Hariri, who is close to Saudi Arabia, launched an initiative in late 2015 to nominate Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh for the presidency but his proposal was met with reservations from the country's main Christian parties as well as Hizbullah. Hariri's move prompted Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea to endorse the nomination of Aoun, his long-time Christian rival. The supporters of Aoun's presidential bid argue that he is more eligible than Franjieh to become president due to the size of his parliamentary bloc and his bigger influence in the Christian community.

Lebanese arrested in Bekaa for explosives transfer
Tue 23 Aug 2016/NNA - Anti-terrorism forces arrested Lebanese S.H. in Bekaa's Bar Elias today, over charges of explosives' transfer, National News Agency correspondent reported on Tuesday.

Geagea discusses latest developments with Shehayyeb, Kanaan
Tue 23 Aug 2016/NNA - Lebanese Forces leader, Samir Geagea, met at Maarab on Tuesday with Minister of Agriculture, Akram Shehayyeb, with whom he discussed most recent political, social, and economic developments. Speaking to reporters following the meeting, later joined by MP Ibrahim Kanaan, Shehayyeb indicated that talks were fruitful. "Opinions were convergent, and we uttered keenness on the necessity to curb the trash crisis," he said. "The streets of Kesserwan, Baabda, and Metn can no longer bear trash," he stressed, revealing that for the time being, the only solution that can be adopted in that respect is that of the government. For his part, Kanaan said that "with the absence of the Lebanese Forces and Kataeb from the government, in addition to the Free Patriotic Movement's boycott of the next Cabinet session, there is a situation that must be taken into consideration."

Tashnag: Bourj Hammoud will stop receiving trash as of tomorrow
Tue 23 Aug 2016/NNA - Tashnag party announced, in a statement on Tuesday, that, in collaboration with the municipality of Bourj Hammoud, the locality would not be receiving any trash as of tomorrow morning, until the government's project was implemented.

Future bloc renews calls to elect new president
Tue 23 Aug 2016/NNA - Future parliamentary bloc renewed on Tuesday insisting calls to elect a new president of the republic in the nearest time possible, warning of the reverberations of the long-lasting presidential vacuum. "The key to make progress amid this gridlock is the election of a president of the republic in order to end the presidential vacuum exhausting the country and the citizens," the bloc said in a statement following its weekly meeting. "Then, we must go to hold the legislative polls without any delay or hesitation, after a new election law is approved," lawmakers said. Accordingly, they reminded of their position in support for the mixed law, denying that Future Movement seeks to extend the mandate of the current Parliament. On a different note, Future bloc did not fail to lash back at Hezbollah's Secretary General, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's last interview in the memory of July war, rebuffing the accusations he lobbed. "Sayyed Nasrallah is trying to veer attention off the problems he had been causing, whether during the hostilities in 2006 or afterwards, as to his responsibility for the presidential vacuum," the statement concluded.

Kahwaji after meeting Votel: We thank US authorites on military aid to army
Tue 23 Aug 2016/NNA - Army Commander Jean Kahwagi recieved on Tuesday at his Yarzeh office U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Joseph L. Votel, in the presence of US Ambassador to Lebanon, Elizabeth Richard, with talks reportedly touching on bilateral relations between both countries' armies, and the US Aids Program for the special units of the Lebanese Army. Army Commander and the US delegation then visited the Lebanese marine commando exercises at Amchit military base, whereby they had a closer look at the Commando training activities and the contribution of the concerned US training team in this regard. The commandos then carried out sea and land demonstration over their combat capabilities. General Kahwaji thanked the US Army Command and US authorities on the qualitative military aid provided to the army, especially the recent aid in the areas of armament and gear, which strongly contributed to strengthen its combat capabilities and sustained readiness in the fight against terrorism and defense of Lebanon against any attack. General Votel, for his part, considered security partnership between both countries' armies as "strong and very important one." The General reaffirmed the Lebanese-American partnership in countering the threat of terrorism and reiterated the United States' long term commitment to supporting the LAF in its role as the sole defender of Lebanon. tel made the following remarks to press from Amchit:
"Good afternoon. I'm very pleased to be back here in Lebanon. The partnership between our countries is a strong and a very important one. In April, I observed the G2 Strike Force and Rangers conduct a hostage rescue demonstration and was very impressed. Today, I observed the Armed Forces' marine commandos in action and was equally impressed."The General added: "As I have heard repeatedly from American military trainers here, the Lebanese Armed Forces are second to none. Their skills, professionalism, dedication to duty, and commitment to defend their country are unsurpassed. Whether through cooperating in joint military exercises - like the recent Resolute Response 2016 exercise - or through the delivery of weapons and equipment that serve to further enhance the capability of the Lebanese Armed Forces, America is proud to support Lebanon's brave military members who risk their lives every day to keep this country safe."
Votel continued: "The LAF continue to do an extraordinary job in confronting extremist threats arising from across the Syrian border. The Force has demonstrated to enemies and friends alike that they are strong, fully capable of defending Lebanon's borders, and have the support of the Lebanese people. The will and commitment of the LAF to protecting Lebanon only strengthens America's resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Lebanese partners as we confront these threats together." Votel concluded: "The LAF is a strong institution, and America has been and will continue to be the army's steadfast and foremost security partner. The U.S. has provided over $1.4 billion dollars in security assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces since 2005. That includes critical training and equipment, such as the $50 million in Humvees, weapons, and ammunition delivered to the Army earlier this month at the Beirut Port. We continue to work closely with the LAF to ensure that the equipment being delivered is exactly what is needed to counter the extremist threat and ensure Lebanon's long-term stability. We look forward to our continued collaboration and to further strengthening our enduring partnership with the Lebanese Armed Forces in the days ahead."

Pharoun recommends postponing Thursday Cabinet session to avert political tension
Tue 23 Aug 2016/NNA - Tourism Minister, Michel Pharoun, called on Tuesday in a statement for the postponement of Cabinet session upcoming Thursday, in order to avert any further tension in political positions. "This in order to pave the way for reaching solutions to standing crises related to government performance," Minister Pharoun said, bringing to attention that he has asked of Prime Minister Tammam Salam to postpone Cabinet session to avoid the boycott of any component. He called for seriously dealing with the demands of the oppositionist ministers and seeking to find solutions to the longstanding dossiers

Exhibition shows how Lebanon shaped the modern world
The Northen Echo/August 23/16/
http://m.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/14685782.Exhibition_shows_how_Lebanon_shaped_the_modern_world/
ARTEFACTS never seen before in the UK, including ancient silver bowls, cooking pots and burial urns, have gone on show in the region. Daily Life in Ancient Lebanon, an exhibition hosted by Durham University’s Oriental Museum, runs until September 25. It is based on the work of Dr Mark Woolmer, of Durham University, who claims ancient Lebanon helped shape the modern world along with places like Greece, Rome Egypt, and Persia. The exhibition transports visitors thousands of years back in time to Lebanon during the Bronze and Iron Ages. It was a time when the country was home to great explorers, sailors and maritime traders, the Phoenicians. Using the artefacts loaned from the British Museum and the National Museum of Beirut, Dr Woolmer, the university team and student volunteers paint a picture of how the ancient Phoenicians were responsible for remarkable trade voyages across Europe and creating revolutionary manufacturing processes. Dr Woolmer said: “Contemporary politics and war, shown in our media, has led many westerners to form negative perceptions of Lebanon. “In Daily Life in Ancient Lebanon we challenge that view, and show the country and its people are among the founders of modern civilisation. “This is an exhibition of international importance, and to host it in Durham creates a unique opportunity for visitors to discover an unsung part of world history.”

Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And News published on on August 23-24/16

Iran Says It Requested Russian Strikes on Syria's Aleppo
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/August 23/Russian warplanes bombed Aleppo at Iran's request to assist its military advisers on the ground in the flashpoint Syrian city, a senior Iranian official said on Tuesday. Ali Shamkhani, the top official coordinating security and political affairs between Tehran and its allies, Moscow and Damascus, was quoted by state television saying Iran called in Russian strikes "next to the land operation" in Aleppo. "Iran has brought the powerful Russia along... due to its need to cooperate with Syria" in the fight against jihadists, added Shamkhani. Iran and Russia are key backers of Syrian President Bashar Assad, but Tehran has remained relatively guarded about its precise involvement in the conflict. Russia surprised the international community last week when it announced that its warplanes had flown out of Iran's Hamedan base to conduct strikes against targets in Syria. That announcement prompted Iranian defense minister General Hossein Dehghan to criticize Russia's "showing off and inconsiderate attitude."An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman on Monday denied any differences with Russia over the use of Hamedan, adding that Russian raids from Iranian territory had ended for now. "These planes did not leave (Monday) but on Thursday, in accordance with the land operations and not under pressure from any other country," Shamkhani said on state television. It is illegal under Iran's constitution to give military bases to foreign armies. "The coalition among Iran, Syria and Russia to fight terrorism exists," Shamkhani added.

Syria Regime, Kurds Agree Truce in Hasakeh
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/August 23/Regime forces and Kurdish fighters agreed on Tuesday to a truce in the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakeh after a week of clashes, a Kurdish official and Syrian state media said. A statement distributed to journalists by a Kurdish official said the agreement included "a ceasefire and the withdrawal of all armed forces from the city." It said the Kurds and regime would also exchange any detainees or wounded, and reopen roads blocked off during fighting. The official told AFP that the powerful Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and Syrian forces would withdraw from Hasakeh, while the police forces of both the Kurds and the government would remain. He added that the deal was brokered "under the auspices of Russian military officials."Syrian state television confirmed the truce was reached on Tuesday afternoon. A local journalist working with AFP said the city was quiet on Tuesday afternoon, with several stores reopening in the city center. On Monday, Kurdish, regime, and Russian officials met in the coastal Hmeimim air base to hash out an agreement to put an end to the outbreak of violence in Hasakeh. Steadfast regime ally Russia has also strengthened its relationship with Syria's Kurds, and a Kurdish representative office recently opened in Moscow. Clashes erupted on Wednesday between the Kurdish police force known as the Asayesh and the pro-government National Defense Forces militia (NDF). Fighting escalated Thursday when regime warplanes bombarded Kurdish-held positions in the city for the first time. That prompted Washington to warn against strikes that might endanger its military advisers with the Kurds on the ground. Hasakeh, capital of the northeastern province of the same name, was already mostly controlled by Kurdish forces although the majority of its residents are Arabs. Kurdish fighters now control 90 percent of the city after seizing the central prison, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Monday. Syria's Kurds have run autonomous institutions across swathes of the country's north -- with independent schools and police forces -- since government forces withdrew from the area in 2012.

U.S. Warns Syrian Regime Not to Fly near Coalition Troops
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/August 23/The Pentagon warned the Syrian regime Monday it is prepared to shoot down planes threatening U.S.-led coalition forces in northern Syria, but stopped short of declaring a no-fly zone. U.S. military officials reacted furiously last week after jets from the regime of President Bashar Assad targeted Kurdish forces and coalition advisers fighting Islamic State jihadists around the northeastern city of Hasakeh. The U.S. military scrambled fighters on at least two occasions to ward off the Syrian planes, but neither incident resulted in air-to-air contact. It was apparently the first time the coalition scrambled jets in response to regime action, and possibly the closest call yet in terms of Syrian forces wounding coalition advisers. "We would continue to advise the Syrian regime to steer clear of those areas," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told reporters. "We are going to defend our people on the ground, and do what we need to defend them." Despite the warning, Cook avoided using the politically charged term "no-fly zone." Secretary of State John Kerry and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton have both said they support no-fly zones, but President Barack Obama is reluctant to commit resources and troops to enforce such a measure. "It's not a no-fly zone," Cook said. "But... the Syrian regime would be wise to avoid areas where coalition forces have been operating." The United States has passed warnings to Syria via Russia, with which the U.S. military has an established line of communication. When pressed, Cook said the warning also extended to jets from Russia, which has been bombing in support of Assad since last year. "If they threaten U.S. forces, we always have the right to defend our forces," he said. The United States would protect not only coalition advisers, but also partner forces on the ground -- in this case Kurdish fighters. America has for two years led an international coalition against the IS group, conducting daily strikes and working with local forces on the ground to help them fight the jihadists.
Russia started bombing in Syria last year, but most of its strikes have been in support of the regime. In June, Russian aircraft conducted a series of air strikes near al-Tanf in southern Syria targeting U.S.-backed counter-IS forces. In that incident, the United States did not scramble jets, but the attack frayed an already tense relationship between the coalition and Russia. Washington and Moscow have been in contact for weeks over establishing military cooperation to fight IS in Syria. But Cook said such an agreement was far from a done deal. "We are not there yet, and the regime and Russia's recent actions only make it harder to consider any potential coordination," he said.

Turkey Strikes IS as Syria Border Tensions Flare
Turkey on Tuesday pounded Islamic State (IS) jihadists in Syria with new artillery strikes as expectations grew of a major Ankara-backed offensive against the group after a deadly suicide bombing on its soil. With tensions flaring on the Turkey-Syria border following the bombing in the nearby city of Gaziantep that left 54 people dead, Turkish howitzers on Monday hit jihadist and Kurdish rebel targets across the frontier. Turkey has been shaken by one of the bloodiest years in its modern history, with a string of attacks by IS jihadists and Kurdish militants and the botched July 15 coup. In new fighting on Tuesday, two mortar rounds fired from an IS-controlled area in Syria hit the southeastern Turkish town of Karkamis while three more hit the center of the Turkish border town of Kilis, the state-run Anadolu news agency said. There were no reports of injuries although 21 people in Kilis have been killed by fire from Syria in recent months. Turkish artillery responded to the fire on Karkamis by hitting four IS positions around the jihadist-controlled Syrian town of Jarablus with around 60 shells. The army also responded to the fire on Kilis.
- 'May begin any time' -
The shelling came as activists said hundreds of Ankara-backed rebels were preparing an offensive against the IS group to seize control of Jarablus. But this could potentially put them on collision course with the militia of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) which Ankara vehemently opposes and who also have designs on Jarablus after seizing the strategic Manbij area in northern Syria from IS. Rami Abdul Rahman, the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said the "Turkish shelling in Syria aimed to prevent the advance of troops backed by Kurds from Manbij towards Jarablus."He told AFP the commander of Kurdish-dominated forces headed to Jarablus, Abdel Satar al-Jader, was also "assassinated" on Monday after announcing he planned to resist the Turkish advance. There was no confirmation of this from Turkish sources. Abdulkadir Selvi, a well-connected columnist for the Hurriyet daily, said the Turkey-backed offensive "could begin at any moment."
- 'New page on Syria' -
The movements have come at a critical juncture for Turkey in Syria's five-and-a-half-year war, with signs growing it is on the verge of a landmark policy shift. Ankara has always called for the ouster of President Bashar Assad as the key to ending the conflict, putting Turkey at odds with his main supporters Iran and Russia. However Prime Minister Binali Yildirim at the weekend for the first time acknowledged that Assad was one of the "actors" in Syria and may need to stay on as part of a transition. On Monday, he urged world powers including Iran, Russia and the United States to join together to rapidly open a "new page" in the Syria crisis. But he also warned it was "unacceptable" for Kurds to seek to establish any kind of separate entity in northern Syria. Turkey regards PYD as a terror group, although Washington, Ankara's ally in the fight against IS, sees its People's Protection Units militia (YPG) -- as having an important role in the fight. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is due to visit Ankara Wednesday to meet Turkey's leadership with agreeing a unified strategy on Syria set to be a crucial issue. Turkey had long been accused of turning a blind eye to the rise of IS -- charges it vehemently denies -- but has taken a tougher line following attacks at home. It has lately been building a 240-kilometer (150-mile) concrete wall in order to tighten security.
- 'The last song' -
The attack in Gaziantep on a Kurdish wedding party for a young couple has horrified the country, with the majority of the 54 victims aged under 18 and including children as young as four. But there is confusion as to who was behind the attack, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan initially saying the suicide bomber was a child aged 12-14 acting on the orders of IS. However Yildirim on Monday said Turkey still had no clue who carried out the attack and said all "rumors" over the age and affiliation of the bomber should be taken with a pinch of salt. Hurriyet said the authorities still suspected IS was behind the attack as the main line of inquiry, with investigators taking DNA samples in Gaziantep from the families of possible IS suspects. Reports said the previous assertions by the authorities had been based on eyewitness statements rather than concrete scientific evidence. One guest at the wedding party, Emine Ayhan, lost four of her five children in the blast, Turkish media reported. "To finish off the evening the young guys wanted one last song. It was in the middle of this song that the bomb went off," Hurriyet quoted her as saying.

OAS Chief Says No Democracy, Rule of Law in Venezuela
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/August 23/The head of the Organization of American States denounced corruption and violence in Venezuela on Monday, saying a 14-year prison term for an opposition leader there marked the end of democracy in the country. In an eight-page letter to opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, Luis Almagro highlighted the climate of "intimidation" against the political opposition in Venezuela and those working to recall leftist President Nicolas Maduro. "No regional or subregional forum can ignore the reality that today in Venezuela there is no democracy or rule of law," Almagro said, calling Lopez a "friend.""Under no circumstances should power be used... to prevent the sovereign will of the people from being expressed." The former foreign minister of Uruguay said Venezuelans are a "victim of bullying." The Venezuelan government "seeks to maintain its power and deny the people the right to make decisions through voting, by resorting to violence against those demonstrate or hold other opinions," Almagro said. "It has crossed a line, which means it is the end of democracy." On August 12, Venezuela's court of appeals upheld a 14-year sentence for Lopez that was handed down after a closed-door trial. The sentence was strongly condemned by the European Union, the United Nations and the United States. Lopez, one of Maduro's most hardline opponents, had repeatedly declared himself innocent of the crime for which he was convicted -- inciting violence at anti-government protests in 2014 that left 43 dead. Once-booming Venezuela, home to the world's largest oil reserves, is gripped by recession that has contributed to severe shortages of food, medicine and basic goods that have triggered violence and looting. Maduro blames the recession on wealthy business magnates he says are conspiring against his government. The opposition is racing to force a referendum to recall Maduro from office, blaming him for the crisis and mishandling the state-led economy. Earlier this month, 15 members of the OAS called on Venezuela to act "without delay" to clear the way for the election.

Israel Nets Arms in West Bank Factory Raids
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/August 23/The Israeli army carried out a series of raids on weapons manufacturers in the occupied West Bank overnight in the largest such operation in years, the army said Tuesday. Soldiers raided seven sites in the Palestinian territory, finding a number of weapons manufacturing machines, a senior army official said without giving his name. An army video posted online showed a large number of confiscated rifles and ammunition. "In six of the seven warehouses we found advanced weapons technology," the official said. "This is not someone who has a weapon in their garage, these are people that make a living from it. "By shutting down those factories, we believe that the price of weapons will go up and (fewer) people will be able to get their hands on weapons." It was the largest such operation in several years, he said, with two alleged weapons dealers arrested. Since the beginning of 2016, the Israeli forces have closed down 29 weapon manufacturing workshops in the West Bank, according to police. Palestinians living in the West Bank are not allowed to have guns unless part of the security services. The military official estimated there were still thousands of guns in the Palestinian territory. A wave of violence since October has killed 220 Palestinians, 34 Israelis, two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese, according to an AFP tally. Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, Israeli authorities say, with the majority of them from the West Bank.
Separately the United Nations' body for Palestinian refugees said on Monday it was "gravely concerned" about the killing of a Palestinian refugee on August 16 during an Israeli military incursion into the Fawwar refugee camp near Hebron. "A reportedly unarmed 19-year old Palestine refugee from Fawwar camp was killed after being shot in the chest by live ammunition rounds reportedly fired by an Israeli sniper stationed approximately 100 meters away," UNRWA said.

Palestinian Suspect in Police Killings Beaten to Death
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/August 23/The alleged ringleader in the killing of two Palestinian policemen has died in custody after being beaten by security forces, a senior local official said on Tuesday.The officers were killed in the West Bank city of Nablus last week when gunmen opened fire on security forces. Two of the gunmen died in the subsequent shootout. Ahmed Halawa, the alleged leader of the attackers, was arrested by police overnight and taken to the city's Jneid prison, Nablus governor Akram Rajub told the official Palestinian news agency WAFA. Once there, he was severely beaten by security personnel, lost consciousness and later died, Rajub said. "We'll examine the incident and draw lessons from it," he said. Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip and is a bitter rival of the Fatah-run Palestinian Authority ruling the West Bank, condemned Halawa's "execution."It said it showed "the bloody nature of the Palestinian Authority's security services." Hamas and Fatah are due to contest municipal elections across the Palestinian territories in October. Amnesty International has accused Palestinian security forces of routinely mistreating prisoners, with torture common and committed with impunity. Under the 1993 Oslo accords with Israel, Palestinian police are only authorized to operate in 18 percent of the occupied West Bank, encompassing most of the major Palestinian towns, including Nablus.
The northern West Bank has seen a number of Palestinian police raids in recent months. The area has witnessed factional infighting within the ruling Fatah movement of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

U.N. Bracing for Massive Flight from Iraq's Mosul
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/August 23/The United Nations said Tuesday it was rushing to build camps to accommodate what it expects to be a mass exodus from Mosul once a battle begins for Iraq's second city. The U.N. refugee agency warned that an expected battle to liberate Mosul, the Islamic State group's last major urban stronghold in Iraq, was likely to "dramatically worsen" the displacement situation in the country. Iraq is already facing one of the world's biggest displacement crises, with 3.38 million people forced to flee their homes in the country since 2014. In just the past few months alone, 213,000 people have been forced from their homes across the country, including around 48,000 who have fled Mosul, UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards told reporters in Geneva. "The humanitarian impact of a military offensive there is expected to be enormous," he said, cautioning that as many as 1.2 million civilians could be affected. After retaking Fallujah, west of Baghdad, in June, the main focus of Iraqi security forces is Mosul, which is the IS group's de facto capital in Iraq. Iraqi special forces led an operation Tuesday aimed at retaking the jihadist-held town of Qayyarah, which is expected to be used as a launchpad for a broader operation against Mosul in the coming weeks or months. Once the operation begins, UNHCR estimates that some 400,000 people could flee to the south of Mosul, around 250,000 to the east and another 100,000 to the northwest, towards the Syrian border, Edwards said. He said contingency plans had been drawn up to provide shelter for up to 120,000 people fleeing conflict in Mosul and surrounding areas, while UNHCR was looking to set up six new camps across northern Iraq. "Progress depends on both the availability of land and of funding," Edwards said, pointing out that UNHCR's overall appeal for $584 million for displaced Iraqis, including those who have fled to nearby countries, was only 38-percent funded. He also warned that "finding available land for the new camps has become a critical issue," as many landowners were unwilling to lease land. Other areas could not be used because they were too close to the frontline, or because setting up camps there could inflame ethnic, sectarian, religious or tribal tensions, he said.

Police Probe Terror as Motive in U.S. Knife Attack
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/August 23/The FBI was investigating Tuesday whether a double stabbing in the state of Virginia over the weekend was motivated by Islamic extremism. The attack at an apartment complex in Roanoke, Virginia occurred late Saturday when an armed assailant attacked and seriously wounded a man and a woman. "Both were attacked with a knife and severely injured," a statement from the Roanoake police department said in a statement. "The male was able to fight off the attacker who fled the scene."A separate FBI statement said witnesses reported during the attack that the suspect, 20-year old Wasil Farooqui, yelled "Allah Akbar."Farooqui was arrested later Saturday after seeking treatment for undisclosed injuries at the same hospital where the victims were treated. Police determined that he fit the description of the suspect in the stabbing and arrested him at the hospital on two counts of aggravated malicious wounding. "It is believed that this was a random attack and Mr Farooqui had no connection to the two victims," the police statement said. Authorities said he currently is being held without bond at a jail in Roanoke. The FBI said investigators are working with the police "to determine the nature of the incident."

Muslim Mob Kills Eight in Northern Nigeria
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/August 23/A Muslim mob in northern Nigeria has killed eight people after torching the house of a man who tried to save a Christian student accused of blasphemy, police said Tuesday."Eight people were killed in the house by the mob over the alleged blasphemy" Zamfara state police spokesman Shehu Mohammed told AFP of the incident, which happened on Monday. He said the mob of Muslim students in the town of Talata Mafara were enraged over alleged derogatory comments about the Prophet Mohammed by their Christian schoolmate, who they attacked.He said the victim was rescued by a passerby, a Muslim who rushed him to the police station for safety. The mob then burned down the house of the rescuer with eight people inside. "The man who rescued the student and his wife were not among the dead," the police spokesman said. He said police has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the town while the students' school has been closed down to prevent further violence. An AFP correspondent who passed through the town shortly after the riots saw armed soldiers and policemen manning snap checkpoints on the roads. Students were also seen hurriedly fleeing the town over fears of religious riots. Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is almost evenly divided between a mainly-Muslim north and predominantly Christian south.Ethnic and sectarian clashes have claimed thousands of lives in the country in recent years.

Czech PM Says No to 'Large Muslim Community'
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/August 23/Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said Tuesday he does not want a "large Muslim community" and that each EU member should be able to choose how many migrants to accept. "We don't have a large Muslim community here," Sobotka said of the estimated 10,000 to 20,000 Muslims who live in the Central European country of 10.5 million people. "And to be honest, we don't want a large Muslim community to form here, given the problems we're seeing," Sobotka told the Pravo daily. Sobotka spoke ahead German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Prague on Thursday, saying their "views diverge" on how to solve Europe's migrant crisis. Merkel has urged countries to take in a greater share of refugees, while the Czech Republic staunchly opposes the contested EU quota system devised to distribute refugees across the bloc. "I've been convinced since the start of the migration debate that the member states need to have sovereignty regarding the choice of the number of refugees (to welcome)," Sobotka said. "It's the national governments that ultimately have to ensure people's security."The leftist premier however cautioned against casting refugees as terrorists. "It's not possible to put an equal sign between refugees and terrorists. But at the same time, it's not possible to have the same approach as Germany last year, namely to authorize the influx of a huge number of people without any oversight," he said. Merkel will also on Thursday meet with Czech President Milos Zeman, who earlier this month said he opposed taking in any migrants at all. He recently described Merkel's migration policy -- which saw Germany take in 1.1 million migrants and refugees last year -- as "absurd."
 

Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on on August 23-24/16

Turkey re-evaluates its vital interests
Eyad Abu Shakra/Al Arabiya 23/16/
The other day it was announced that the US vice president Joe Biden would soon be visiting Turkey. The visit will follow frantic Turkish activities in the aftermath of the failed coup attempt. Several issues, I presume, deserve to be scheduled for discussion between Mr Biden and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, more so because Washington’s Middle East policies during the last few years have managed to change many of Ankara’s declared positions. Regardless of definition, explanations, appraisals – especially as far as the alleged ‘role’ of Islamist figure Fethullah Gulen is concerned – the coup attempt will no doubt affect the march of Mr Erdogan’s Islamist government. Equally, it would be wrong to underestimate the impact of terrorist attacks that shook a number of Turkish cities during the last few months against the background of the worsening Syrian crisis, revitalized Kurdish secessionists and cooling of tensions with Israel. However, the most significant realities imposed on Ankara by Barack Obama’s Middle East policies remain those related to Russia and Iran. Going back to JCPOA is not actually a replay. In fact, it is the first true step to understanding Washington’s current strategy until its term ends next November. Yes, JCPOA is the defining landmark in Obama’s political thought and strategic regional priorities; and the last three years that – candidly expressed – thought and those priorities were there for all to see.
Washington has allowed Tehran and Syria’s Bashar al-Assad to blackmail both the international community and the Syrian people with a morally and politically unacceptable choice between keeping the al-Assad regime which is nothing but a cat’s paw of Iran’s mullahs and their expansionist regional project, or leaving Syria and its people easy prey to ISIS bestial criminality and al-Qaeda’s extremism. Due to Russia being under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, it has become a dynamic and ambitious player keen to regain the long gone regional influence of the former USSR. The above choice is exactly what al-Assad and Tehran wanted and strived for all along, and the outcome has been clear from the pictures from the town of Manbij, recently liberated from its ISIS nightmare. It is also the ideal script that would ‘wipe clean the slate’ of a criminal regime which since the late 1970s made a business of blackmail, murder, political outbidding, and trading in fake slogans.
Finally, it is what Obama’s Washington has adopted through demeaning and undermining the nationalist Syrian moderate opposition by depriving it of suitable quality weapons, and continuously rejecting its pleas for protective no-fly zones and safe havens under feeble excuses, as is proven every day by direct American military involvement in Iraq and Libya, and Washington’s active support of Kurdish militias. Turning a blind eye to ISIS’ entrenchment and expansion has not been only intentional, but also required. This is why al-Raqqah was never bombarded, not even threatened, a full year after it fell to the brutal terrorist group and was proclaimed its capital. The same applies to other ISIS “enclaves” elsewhere in Greater Damascus and the open expanses of the Syrian Desert – which are supposedly vulnerable to air strikes – let alone, those close to the Israeli ceasefire line in the Golan Heights!
Turkey’s mistakes
In the meantime, the Turkish leadership was committing two grave mistakes: The first, continuously over-threatening al-Assad and over-promising the Syrian oppositions without guarantees that it can effect a change; and the second, its ambiguous position vis-à-vis Tehran although it should have known the nature and extent of Iranian support for al-Assad, specifically, since IRGC-led and controlled Lebanese, Iraqi and Afghan Shi’ite militias were ‘ordered’ to fight inside Syria. One might say these mistakes stemmed from wrong calculations based on naïve trust in Washington’s and NATO’s backing; and consequently, disregard of what Washington’s willingness to let down its old ally means, while keeping in mind Turkey’s geo-political problematic history with Russia.
Most likely, Ankara began to really worry when it noticed that Washington’s and Moscow’s views on Syria were rapidly converging to the point of total agreement. This went parallel with the unfolding Russian support for Al-Assad reaching the point of direct military involvement in September 2015.
The turning point, however, must have been Turkey’s downing the Russian fighter bomber near the Turkish – Syrian borders in late November 2015; as Washington’s and NATO’s lukewarm ‘solidarity’ with Ankara against Moscow’s bullying threats decisively proved that the page of the Cold War alliance between Turkey and the West was turned forever.
To add insult to injury, American whole-hearted backing for ‘nationalist’ Kurdish militias along the Turkish – Syrian borders despite Ankara’s expressed misgivings, and later Washington’s rush to directly confront ISIS in northern Iraq the moment it began threatening the autonomous ‘Iraqi Kurdistan’ region, only compounded Ankara’s suspicions and worries. Then, no sooner that the attempted coup had taken place than Erdogan accused US – based Mr. Gulen of being implicated, while also insinuating at an American role in it. Obviously, this meant that all taboos have now been broken, as the Turkish leadership saw itself dealing with new regional and international realities. Erdogan decided to react in the light of what he viewed as Washington’s “betrayal” in the time of need, the Obama administration belittling what a threat “Greater Kurdistan” poses to Turkey and the polities of the Middle East. As a result Ankara took the decision to ‘open up’ to the three influential players in the region: Russia, Israel and Iran.
Ambitious player
Due to Russia being under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, it has become a dynamic and ambitious player keen to regain the long gone regional influence of the former USSR; in addition to the fact that it is the historical ‘Christian’ competitor to ‘Muslim’ Turkey in south eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. As for Israel, it is a small-size major power which enjoys great influence in the West, especially, with the American ‘political establishment’. Finally, Iran is the historical Eastern pole, whose entities and ruling dynasties coexisted and collaborated with, fought against, and allied to Turkey’s entities and ruling dynasties. In fact, the percentage of Turkic peoples with present day Iran exceeds non-Turks within Turkey.However, although the two countries are currently competing against each other, and are in opposite sides in the Syrian crisis, they are united by a common concern. They both stand against a “Greater Kurdistan”; which may mean the Kurdish issue provides the window of opportunity for interest-based temporary coexistence and agreement of opportune regional influence sharing at the expense of the major absentee, i.e. the Arabs!
**This article was first published in Asharq al-Awsat on August 19, 2016.

Turkey’s nightmare is unfolding in Syria
Joyce Karam/Al Arabiya 23/16

With another ISIS suspected suicide bombing hitting Turkey last weekend, a growing influx of refugees of 2.7 million, and a more muscular Kurdish military front in Syria, it is safe to say that the Syrian war has become a real-time nightmare for Ankara with no real exit strategies.
When Turkey took a forceful position in the fall of 2011 against the Assad regime and in support of its opponents, the whole calculus was to avoid a long bleeding front on its border and help a more like-minded governing model to take shape in Damascus. Today, these two goals have completely crumbled in the face of multiple border threats for Turkey and the fracturing of Syria between competing governing structures, militias, and terrorist organizations. Syria’s emerging new threats are prompting a pivot in Turkey’s calculus, prioritizing – with the help of Russia and Iran – the immediate goals of moving against the Kurdish groups and countering ISIS, while shelving the Assad challenge at least until the Barack Obama administration leaves office.
Turkey’s new priorities
While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was one of the first to call on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down in November 2011, this goal no longer appears urgent nor realistic for Turkey. Turkish prime minister Binali Yildirim told reporters last Friday that Assad could have a role in the interim leadership or transition, but he must play no part in its future. Neither a transition nor a change of leadership appear imminent in Syria which makes Turkey’s gesture on Assad more a case of political realism, and messaging to his allies. The more urgent priority that Yildrim pressed and that has been subject of ongoing diplomatic traffic between Turkey and Iran, and between Ankara and Moscow following Erdogan’s visit, is Syria’s unity, “territorial integrity” and "not to allow the country to be divided on any ethnic base." Syria’s emerging new threats are prompting a pivot in Turkey’s calculus, prioritizing – with the help of Russia and Iran – the immediate goals of moving against the Kurdish groups and countering ISIS, while shelving the Assad challenge at least until the Obama administration leaves office. Countering the Kurdish push for more autonomy in Syria has taken over Turkey’s calculus in the war, and is the driving force behind Erdogan’s new overtures to both Iran and Russia. Assad for his part has flirted back with Turkey attacking PYD forces in Hasaka, with his army branding the group as Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), designated terrorist by Turkey. Attacking the YPG and labeling the PYD and PKK is music to Erdogan’s ears who could ironically find common ground with Assad whom he called two months ago “a more advanced terrorist” than ISIS.
Post-Manbij The same Kurdish forces that Assad is attacking, have made with the help of the US progress against ISIS, in places like Kobani and more recently Manbij and as part of a bigger coalition called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Turkey according to Syrian opposition sources has requested from Washington that SDF leaves Manbij after the liberation and to avoid ethnic changes in the town from Arab to Kurdish. The same sources add that the failure to achieve this has angered Ankara who could exercise a stronger military hand in the North both against ISIS and YPG.Turkey also appears to be responding by supporting a different coalition in fighting ISIS. Syrian rebels allied with Turkey are readying an attack on the town of Jarablus now under control of ISIS. Rebel sources also say Turkey’s help has been "crucial" in the Aleppo offensive against the Assad regime. This indicates that Ankara is walking on multiple ropes in Syria with three goals in mind, supporting its proxies, countering the Kurdish expansion, and fighting ISIS.
Impact on US policy
The Turkish readjustment in Syria will be mostly felt on the US strategy relying on these same Kurdish forces that Turkey wants to counter in the fight against ISIS. Ankara’s patience appears to have completely run out with the Obama administration ahead of a visit by Vice President Joe Biden this Wednesday. Evidently, Turkey’s repositioning towards Iran and Russia against the a more robust Kurdish force will complicate Obama’s plans to encircle ISIS in Syria and liberate Mosul, Raqqa or both before he leaves office. Assad’s bombing of YPG in Hassaka also impedes these plans. Finding a new arrangement in the fallout of Manbij is critical for both Washington and Ankara to derail ISIS in Syria. Yildrim pointing out that Turkey’s role will be more active in next six months is a signal to the US administration that Ankara will move to protect its interest in Syria until Obama leaves office. For now, Syria is completely a new war for Turkey with different set of priorities and challenges than those that were in place at the outset of the conflict. Ousting Assad or establishing a more friendly government is no longer a realistic priority for Turkey as it readjusts with different actors for a longer and messier conflict across its border.

Countries of chaos and prospects of disintegration
Turki Aldakhil/Al Arabiya 23/16
During a dinner, New York Times (NYT) editor-in-chief Jake Silverstein met with writer Scott Anderson. They agreed to work on a feature on the threats facing the Middle East post-Arab Spring. Work on the story – described as an epic as it is longer than 40,000 words – lasted 18 months.
It is a really interesting piece, particularly in terms of the investigative journalism involved. An Arabic translation of the article, entitled “Fractured lands: How the Arab world came apart,” was published in Ash-Sharq al-Awsat. It addressed economic factors as it looked into the prospects of disintegration in the Arab world, and how states have been crushed and institutions weakened. The piece noted: “The scattershot nature of the Arab Spring makes it hard to provide a single answer. Some nations were radically transformed, even as others right next door were barely touched. Some of the nations in crisis were relatively wealthy (Libya), others crushingly poor (Yemen). Some countries with comparatively benign dictatorships (Tunisia) blew up along with some of the region’s most brutal (Syria). “The same range of political and economic disparity is seen in the nations that remained stable. Yet one pattern does emerge, and it is striking. While most of the 22 nations that make up the Arab world have been buffeted to some degree by the Arab Spring, the six most profoundly affected - Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen - are all republics, rather than monarchies." The Arab Spring exposed many social and cultural defects, awakening tribal affiliations as sectarianism fed off raging protests. This can clearly be seen in Syria
Social and cultural defects
There are major factors that are relevant to the prospects of disintegration and division in some Arab Spring countries. The Arab Spring exposed many social and cultural defects, awakening tribal affiliations as sectarianism fed off raging protests. This can clearly be seen in Syria, as the revolution shifted from a desire to achieve change to a struggle between Alawites and Shiites on one hand, and Sunnis who oppose the regime on the other. This negative awakening makes countries such as Libya, Yemen and Syria an easy target for disintegration and collapse. This in addition to economic disparity in each country. We can complete Anderson’s note about monarchies by saying they are more able to adapt to global changes. The Arab Spring renewed their legitimacy as their citizens renewed their allegiance to them. In return, the states took developmental measures and devised programs and plans. Since the days of Egypt’s late President Gamal Abdel Nasser and the era of Arab nationalism, some Arab republics have idolized some leaders provocatively, and outrageously idolized certain events, coups and revolutions. Meanwhile, people suffered from economic bankruptcy and institutional collapse. This made societies completely separate from politics. As time passes and idolization decreases, a desire for revenge and accountability surfaces. Even if people remain under the governance of a dictator for more than half a century, like in Libya, Syria and particularly Yemen, they will still find a way to avenge themselves. However, monarchies are distinguished for their rare wisdom, authentic awareness of societies’ needs, and being close to the people. This has created a social system that is radically different than those in Arab republics that adopted certain ideologies. Therefore, the possibility of disintegration, as discussed in the NYT piece, will continue to exist because the situation on the ground is not stable yet, and these disturbed countries will not move toward peace anytime soon. Although some crises are very bloody, they are still in their beginning stages, and we have only seen the tip of the iceberg. Unfortunately, the possibilities range from disintegration to division and ongoing civil war. Perhaps the best-case scenario will be ‘stable chaos’ within fragile economic entities.
**This article was first published in Asharq al-Awsat on Aug. 23, 2016.

Russia’s agile foreign policy and its benefits
Maria Dubovikova/Al Arabiya 23/16
Until now, Russia seems to be the only player in Syria with a seemingly adequate strategy. At least it knows what it wants and reacts relatively fast to all the challenges and changes on the ground. Russia changes the rules of the game and other players are left to react to the new reality. These game-changing moments have been happening fairly regularly since the beginning of the Syrian war. Russia has been involved in the war since its early days and while its initial role was solely diplomatic, it soon became active on the ground which complicated the game for other players. Russia is, for the most part, turning the challenges it has faced into positives and successfully capitalized on Turkey’s recent moment of weakness related to the failed coup, Western criticism of the post-coup purges and a general sense of cooling relations between Turkey and the West. In recent weeks, Turkey’s position on the Syrian crisis has changed and become more flexible. The Turkish prime minister announced on Saturday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could remain in the interim, but couldn’t be part of the future of Syria. This is in line with Russia’s stance on settling the crisis. Turkey’s prime minister also publically spoke on the possibility that Russia could use the Incirlik base, a base previously used by US forces to strike ISIS positions. Shifting alliances? Turkey closed the base after the coup and all but suspended the US’s use of it. Furthermore, the US had been storing nuclear missiles at the same military base. However, it has been re-ported that they were moved to Romania. Although this has not been confirmed, it has neither been denied. Despite these reported moves, it should be remembered that the US need Turkey in its or-bit and Turkey knows it. The talk regarding the extradition of Turkish preacher Fethullah Gülen – Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s US-based antagonist – could result in ties heating up once again, especially if Russia is slow on its promises of increasing touristic cooperation with Tur-key.
For its part, Iran has criticized Russia for perceivably pursuing its own agenda in Syria, how-ever, recent events have forced the two into each other’s arms. In recent weeks, it seems Russia lost control over the situation in Syria. The drama in Aleppo revealed miscalculations made by Russian strategists and the humanitarian corridors plan has all but failed. It has failed because of many reasons, notably the lack of broad international support and the absence of the United Nations, mistrust of both the Syrian regime and Russia itself. The blockage was broken through by the rebel offensive and those loyal to the Assad’s forces were pushed slightly back.
Russia is mercurial and can react to changes on the ground faster than its international peers . Neither Damascus nor Moscow have announced their true intentions in Aleppo. Russia declares that it only targets radicals and also accuses the US of being unable to tell the difference between radicals and moderates and failing to provide Russia with adequate intelligence.
Showing off
Russian usage of Iran’s Hamadan airbase was designed to show the international community that a new coalition is being built as a counter balance to the US-led one. It was a demon-stration of power. So far, Russia has been flexing its muscles while targeting ISIS from ships in the Caspian Sea, with jets and with cruise missiles. However, the most recent demonstration of power seems to have been cut short with Iran’s announcement that Russia has stopped using the Hamadan airbase. Russia was accused of using the base as a PR instrument. It was awkwardly accused of divulging information on the use of the military base. However, a few days ago the same officials were declaring that Iran would provide Russia with all needed infrastructure and that Russia could use the military base as long as it needed. The changes in position show a severe split inside Iranian decision-making circles over rela-tions with Russia. It seems that having calculated the possible geopolitical risks of the usage of its military base by Russians, Iran decided not to irritate regional neighbors and the West as relations with them have a higher priority than ties with Russia. But the Russian Ministry of Defense was not caught unawares, though the official statement from them came a little bit late. It was declared that Russian planes could leave the Hamadan base as long as they have successfully finished the operations they were assigned to. The withdrawal from Hamadan plays into international criticism of the Russian tenure at the base, based on its apparent violation of UN resolution 2231. Russia, it seems, is playing to its audience. Russia is mercurial and can react to changes on the ground faster than its international peers. However, the game is becoming more intense and Russia needs to remain agile. It does still have a few trump cards but those remain to be played.

Omran doesn’t need tears, Ms. Bolduan… he needs us to do our jobs!
Faisal J. Abbas/Al Arabiya 23/16/
No, I am not cruel nor am I insensitive. On the contrary, I think what would have definitely been insensitive was NOT to cry upon watching the recent video of five-year-old Syrian boy Omran Daqneesh. If you missed it, the horrific footage shows this shell-shocked airstrike survivor wiping dried blood and thick soot off his face inside an ambulance in Aleppo. An equally widely-shared video was that of CNN’s Kate Bolduan, the renowned news anchor who wept as she told the story of how Omran’s home and family were torn apart by this airstrike. Her tears were a reminder that no matter how impartial or tough we appear to be as journalists, we are only human at the end of the day. However, I do have a serious issue with what Ms. Bolduan said next. Reading off a teleprompter, she said: “Who’s behind it (the attack)? We don’t know.” This in no way is an attack on Kate or on CNN in particular (the channel did - a few days later - go as far as reporting that “activists blame the Syrian regime and Russia for the bombings in Aleppo”). However, the fact remains that “the international media doesn’t do a very thorough job of identifying the perpetrators of many attacks on civilians” as Robert Ford, the former US ambassador to Damascus, puts it.
Of course, covering Syria isn’t easy. At first, the Assad regime made it very difficult for any journalist who didn’t toe the line to work locally. The situation got worse when terrorist groups got involved and several fellow reporters were harassed, kidnapped, injured or killed. The alternative is, of course, content made available by activists, aid workers and/or first responders. Most of the time, such content can’t be independently verified and given that most attacks on civilians are orchestrated without anyone claiming responsibility for them, the ability of many media outlets to confidently report on the full details is hindered.
The other reason why some editors opt to leave out perpetrator details is that international bodies, such as the UN, don’t publically place the blame on anyone. According to Mr. Ford, the UN is often reluctant to charge certain countries with responsibility because it needs to maintain humanitarian aid access and communication on political issues.
The word is not enough!
However, it is simply unacceptable that we can’t find out the truth about this attack in an era of satellite imagery, high-speed internet and global telecoms. Let us not forget that - given the current situation – Syria is probably the most carefully watched geographical location on our planet!
Now, whilst the information might not all be available at the time news breaks, it is our duty - both as journalists and concerned citizens of the world - to ensure that pressure is placed on those who possess it. Without information, accountability can’t be established and we will eternally continue to wonder ‘till when will this atrocity continue?’Media outlets and voters residing in democratic countries (where freedom of information acts are enacted) have a much bigger responsibility in attempting to achieve this. Without information, accountability can’t be established and we will eternally continue to wonder “till when will this atrocity continue?”We should remember that our tears and angry Facebook posts will not do anything to help Omran. In fact, in a few days, the news cycle will inevitably move on and we will completely forget about him as we did with the late Aylan Kurdi. As such, I call upon everyone who shared Omran’s video, tweeted about their frustration at how unfair our world is and wondered how they could help to actively demand that the truth be made public. Otherwise, you might as well stop pretending to care and go back to posting selfies and Instagram snaps of what you had for breakfast instead. To make it simpler for all of us, we should remember that there are only two entities who possess the capabilities to launch such an airstrike: the US-led coalition and the Russian/Syrian regime forces. For his part, Mr. Ford - who is currently a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington – says that it is “almost certainly, either Russian aircrafts or Syrian government aircrafts that undertook the airstrike. “If it was a ground-to-ground rocket strike, it would have come from pro-government forces shelling of east Aleppo’s Qaterji district. It is exceptionally unlikely that the attack came from an opposition armed group,” he explained. Commenting on behalf of the US government, regional spokesperson Nathanial Tek categorically denied that the American-led Global Coalition to Counter ISIL conducted any recent airstrikes in, or around, Aleppo and added that the comprehensive list of all US-led strikes are made public and are available through this website: www.inherentresolve.mil .“I will leave it to the Russian government to comment on the activities of their military,” added Mr. Tek.
On the other hand, neither the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) nor its Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) have responded to attempts to obtain a comment regarding this matter. However, the state-owned media outlet RT recently published a statement by a MoD spokesperson claiming that the Russian Air Force “never works on targets within civilian areas.”One last thing worth mentioning is that as important as the Omran story is, it must not allow us to forget that three people died in a Syrian chlorine gas attack 10 days ago. This comes almost exactly three years after the horrific Ghouta chemical attack which took the lives of more than a thousand people. It also occurred despite the Assad regime joining the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and agreeing to get rid of its chemical stockpile. One can only imagine how many children like Omran would have suffocated in these attacks and how horrific those images would have been. Judging by the global failure to end the plight of the Syrian people, however, I am not sure if the release of such footage would have made a difference!

No Saudi Money for American Mosques
Daniel Pipes/The Hill/August 23/16
http://www.danielpipes.org/16874/no-saudi-money-for-american-mosques
Saudi Arabia may be the country in the world most different from the United States, especially where religion is concerned. An important new bill introduced by Rep. Dave Brat (R-VA) aims to take a step toward fixing a monumental imbalance.
Consider those differences: Secularism is a bedrock U.S. principle, enshrined in the Constitution's First Amendment; in contrast, the Koran and Sunna are the Saudi constitution, enshrined as the Basic Law's first article.
Anyone can build a religious structure of whatever nature in the United States, so the Saudis fund mosque after mosque. In the kingdom, though, only mosques are allowed; it hosts not a single church – or, for that matter, synagogue, or Hindu, Sikh, Jain, or Baha'i temple. Hints going back nearly a decade that the Saudis will allow a church have not born fruit but seem to serve as delaying tactics.
Pray any way you wish in America, so long as you do not break the law. Non-Muslims who pray with others in Saudi Arabia engage in an illicit activity that could get them busted, as though they had participated in an drug party.
The United States, obviously, has no sacred cities open only to members of a specific faith. KSA has two of them, Mecca and Medina; trespassers who are caught will meet with what the Saudi authorities delicately call "severe punishment."
Mecca, one of Saudi Arabia's two cities forbidden to non-Muslims (the other is Medina).
With only rare (and probably illegal) exceptions, the U.S. government does not fund religious institutions abroad (and those exceptions tend to be for Islamic institutions). In contrast, the Saudi monarchy has spent globally an estimated US$100 billion to spread its Wahhabi version of Islam. Products of Saudi-funded Wahhabi schools and mosques have often been incited to political violence against non-Muslims.
The Saudis have been arrogantly indiscreet about spending to promote Wahhabism. For example, a 2005 Freedom House report reviewed some of the extremist literature provided to the public by Saudi-funded institutions and concluded that it poses "a grave threat to non-Muslims and to the Muslim community itself." The monarchy has also given multiple and generous grants to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the most aggressive and effective Islamist organization in the United States.
This discrepancy, a version of which exists in every Western country, demands a solution. Some Western governments have taken ad hoc, provisional steps to address it.
In 2007, the Australian government turned down a Saudi request to send funds to the Islamic Society of South Australia to help build a new mosque. "Obviously we don't want to see any extremist organisation penetrate into Australia," explained then-Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. Eight years later, Saudi diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks affirmed the kingdom's intense interest in influencing Islamic politics in Australia.
In 2008, the Saudis offered to finance construction of a mosque and Islamic cultural center in Moscow, prompting three Russian Orthodox groups to write an open letter to then-King Abdullah suggesting that his kingdom lift its ban on churches.
In 2010, Norway's Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre turned down Saudi funding for a mosque on the grounds that the Saudi kingdom lacks religious freedom.
In July, reeling from multiple attacks over 18 months that killed 236 people on French soil, Prime Minister Manuel Valls mused about prohibiting foreign funding of mosques "for a period of time to be determined," provoking an intense debate.
These one-off responses may satisfy voters but they had almost no impact. That requires something more systematic; legislation.
Brat's proposed bill, H.R. 5824, the "Religious Freedom International Reciprocity Enhancement Act," makes it unlawful for "foreign nationals of a country that limits the free exercise of religion in that country to make any expenditure in the United States to promote a religion in the United States, and for other purposes." Hello, Saudi Arabia!
To "promote a religion" includes funding "religious services, religious education, evangelical outreach, and publication and dissemination of religious literature." Should funding proceed anyway in defiance of this bill, the U.S. government can seize the monies.
The bill needs more work: it omits mention of religious buildings, offers no criteria for seizure of property, and does not indicate who would do the seizing. But it offers an important beginning. I commend it and urge its urgent consideration and adoption.
Americans cannot abide aggressive unilateral actions by Riyadh (or, for that matter, Tehran and Doha) exploiting their oil bonanza to smother the secularist principles basic to Western life. We must protect ourselves.
**Mr. Pipes (DanielPipes.org, @DanielPipes) is president of the Middle East Forum. © 2016 by Daniel Pipes. All rights reserved.
 

Turkey's Exhausting Zigzagging Between East and West
Burak Bekdil/Gatestone Institute/August 23/16
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/8748/turkey-east-west

"What is the moral of the story? Until a few weeks ago, the West was comfortably day-dreaming that, despite his foibles, Erdogan was a staunch U.S. ally and an eager EU candidate. After all, had he not, only recently, downed a Russian jet? Then, suddenly, what do we see? Putin and Erdogan kissing and making up ..." — Fuad Kavur, London.
Turkey has been a republic since 1923, a multi-party democracy since 1946, and a member of NATO since 1952. In 1987, it added another powerful anchor into the Western bay where it wanted it to remain docked: It applied for full membership in the European Union (EU). This imperfect journey toward the West was dramatically replaced by a directionless cruise, with sharp zigzags between the East and West, after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Islamist AKP party came to power in 2002. Zigzagging remains the main Turkish policy feature even at this day.
Until the summer of 2015 Turkey was widely known as the "jihad highway," because of its systematic tolerance for jihadists crossing through Turkey into neighboring Syria to fight Erdogan's regional nemesis, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Turkey supported various jihadist groups in the hope that they would help Ankara unseat Assad. Then, under pressure from its NATO allies, it decided to join the U.S.-led, international campaign to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Syria. Feeling betrayed, ISIS started to blow up Turkish cities.
At the end of 2015, Turkey risked tensions with Russia in order to advance its pro-Sunni Islamist agenda in Syria. Russia, together with Iran, provided the lifeline Assad needed to stay in power while Turkey stepped up its anti-Assad campaign. In November, Turkey once again zigzagged toward the West when it shot down a Russian military aircraft, citing the violation of its airspace along its border with Syria. Turkey also threatened to shoot down any Russian aircraft that might violate its airspace again. It was the first time in modern history that a NATO ally had shot down a Soviet or Russian military airplane.
An angry Vladimir Putin, Russia's president, imposed punishing economic sanctions, which cost the Turkish economy billions of dollars. Turkey started zigzagging again. In July 2016, Erdogan apologized for downing the Russian plane, and in August he went to Russia to shake hands for normalization. Once again, Russia is trendy for the Turks, and the West looks passé.
In July 2016, Erdogan apologized for downing the Russian plane, and in August he went to Russia to shake hands for normalization. Once again, Russia is trendy for the Turks, and the West looks passé. Pictured: Russian President Vladimir Putin with Turkey's then Prime Minister Erdogan, meeting in Istanbul on December 3, 2012. (Image source: kremlin.ru)
Erdogan and his men are now accusing NATO and, in particular, the United States, of roles in the failed July 15 coup, which they claim is linked to a reclusive, U.S.-based Islamic scholar, Fethullah Gulen. According to Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik, NATO should sit down and think where it went wrong in response to the coup attempt in Turkey. According to Turkey's justice minister, Bekir Bozdag, the United States would be sacrificing its alliance with Turkey to "a terrorist" (Gulen) if it refuses to extradite him.
Turkey's newfound love affair with Russia will inevitably have repercussions in Syria, and that pleases Iran. "Not only will Turkey have to 'digest' that [Russian-Iranian-Syrian] line, it will have to join it, entering into a pact with Putin and the ayatollahs. Clearly, this is where Erdogan has decided is the best place to pledge his allegiance," wrote Meira Svirsky at The Clarion Project. There are already signs.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Turkey and Russia have similar views on the need for a ceasefire in Syria, the provision of humanitarian aid, and a political solution to end the crisis. That must have caused shy smiles in Moscow: the Turkish John Wayne on his knees begging to work on Syria only months after he threatened to shoot down any Russian aircraft and kick the Russians out of Syria. Now Turkey is calling on Russia to team up and carry out joint military operations in a bid to crush ISIS in Syria.
After the last Turkish zigzag, Turkey and Russia found where they converge: Putin accuses the West of violating agreements by expanding NATO to Russia's borders and fomenting unrest in nearby Georgia and Ukraine, while in Turkey, the pro-Erdogan media accuses the U.S. of orchestrating the coup. There are more alarming signals from Ankara. Cavusoglu, the foreign minister, said that Turkey may look outside NATO for defense cooperation.
Fuad Kavur, a prominent London-based film director and producer, described the Turkish zigzag in a private letter (quoted with permission):
"Erdogan's recent manoeuvrings remind me of how Hitler hoodwinked the West. Until four days before he invaded Poland, the West, ever sleepwalking, were utterly convinced Hitler was going to attack USSR, because he had come to power on an anti-Communist ticket. The West had a rude awakening only when, on 23 August 1939, Von Ribbentrop signed the Non-Aggression Pact with Molotov; and on Sept. 1, Hitler took half of Poland. Few days later, Stalin took the other half.
"What is the moral of the story? Until a few weeks ago, the West was comfortably day-dreaming that, despite his foibles, Erdogan was a staunch U.S. ally and an eager EU candidate. After all, had he not, only recently, downed a Russian jet? Then, suddenly, what do we see? Putin and Erdogan kissing and making up ... It is a matter of 'my enemy's enemy...'"
From the beginning, Russia was too big for Turkey to bite. A few billion dollars of trade losses and friendly reminders from Western allies that Turkey should keep up to better democratic standards were sufficient to get Ankara kneel down -- and perform another act of zigzagging. This, in all probability, will not be the last such act.
**Burak Bekdil, based in Ankara, is a Turkish columnist for the Hürriyet Daily and a Fellow at the Middle East Forum.
© 2016 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.
 

Hamas, Palestinian Authority Target Journalists Ahead of Election
Khaled Abu Toameh/Gatestone Institute/August 23/16
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/8738/hamas-palestinian-journalists
Both of the journalists who were arrested made the mistake of reporting on the suffering of Palestinians living under Hamas rule. These are not the kind of stories that Hamas wishes to see ahead of the local and municipal elections. Rather, Hamas wants to see printed lies of prosperity.
It is a puzzle why foreign journalists choose not to report about the campaign of intimidation facing their Palestinian colleagues.
One might wonder if the human rights groups neglect these abuses because of their continued obsession with destroying Israel.
Palestinian journalists are at the top of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas hit-list in the crackdown occurring alongside preparations for the Palestinian local and municipal elections, scheduled for October 8.The crackdown is part of an ongoing campaign by the two rival parties to silence critics in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Neither Hamas nor the PA tolerates a free and independent media -- especially on the eve of a crucial election that could have far-reaching political implications in the Palestinian arena.
A Hamas victory in the upcoming elections would be catastrophic for President Mahmoud Abbas and his Palestinian Authority. Such an electoral outcome would be tantamount to a vote of no-confidence in their policies and performance.
Hamas, for its part, is investing a huge amount of resources in the election campaign, in hopes that the results would further boost its standing among Palestinians. Hamas fears that a defeat would undermine its power in the Gaza Strip and pave the way for its collapse.
As the election campaign heats up, it is clear that Hamas and the PA agree on one thing: intensifying their repressive measures against Palestinian journalists.
This media crackdown is essentially ignored by international human rights organizations. Why? One reason is that when Israel is not involved, assaults on freedom of the media and expression do not interest them.
Some Western journalists and human rights advocates also treat these cases as "internal Palestinian issues" that are of no relevance to international public opinion. A story about a Palestinian journalist who is arrested by Israel is news. A Palestinian journalist incarcerated or threatened by the Palestinian Authority or Hamas is not.
Take, for example, the case of Ahmed Said, a journalist from the Gaza Strip. Last week, he was arrested by Hamas security forces, who also confiscated his personal computer. Said has a radio show on the Sawt Al Sha'ab (Voice of the People) radio station, where Palestinians call in to voice their grievances and talk openly about the problems they are facing under Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip.
Before he was arrested, Said had phoned the spokesman of the Hamas police force, Ayman Al Batnihi, to discuss the recent rise in cases of homicide in the Gaza Strip. According to the journalist, the furious spokesman threatened him: "You are causing us a lot of problems and inciting people. I know how to deal with people. You need to be hanged."
Said is no stranger to this sort of encounter. Last year, he was summoned for investigation for "incitement" against the Gaza City Municipality. The move came after Said used his talk show to talk about the case of street vendor Mohamed Abu Assi, who tried to commit suicide by ingesting poison after Gaza City Municipality inspectors banned him from selling corn at the beach.
Earlier, Hamas arrested another Palestinian journalist, this time for no clear reasons. Mahmoud Abu Awwad, who works for the Palestinian daily Al-Quds, was arrested from his home in the Shati refugee camp on July 25. He too had his personal computer and cellular phone seized.
Ahmed Said (left) and Mahmoud Abu Awwad (right) are two journalists living in the Gaza Strip who were recently arrested by Hamas security forces. Both journalists made the mistake of reporting on the suffering of Palestinians living under Hamas rule.
Abu Awwad's family have since been banned from seeing him in prison. Their son, they were told by Hamas, is being held for "security reasons." Abu Awwad, who has been working for Al-Quds for the past three years, had been reporting mostly about the hardships facing Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. In addition, he was also reporting for the Saudi London-based pan-Arab daily, Asharq Al Awsat.
"Hamas is trying to spread lies to distort the image of my son and justify his arrest," Abu Awwad's father told Al-Quds. "He was arrested because he was critical of the situation in the Gaza Strip and the Hamas government."
Said and Abu Awwad have something in common. Both journalists made the mistake of reporting on the suffering of Palestinians living under Hamas rule. These are not the kind of stories that Hamas wishes to see ahead of the local and municipal elections. Rather, Hamas wants to see printed lies of prosperity.
In the context of its election campaign, Hamas has released a video featuring new houses and neighborhoods, as well as green and clean parks and smiling children. Entitled, "Thank You Hamas," the video seeks to persuade Palestinian voters that life under Hamas is the best thing that could ever happen to them. And that is why they need to help Hamas extend its control from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank through the local and municipal elections. Journalists such as Said and Abu Awwad are spoiling the effect with their inconvenient truths.
Hamas, however, is the proverbial pot calling the kettle black. In the face of its own massive journalistic repression, Hamas dares to criticize the Palestinian Authority for taking similar measures in the West Bank.
Like Hamas, the PA leadership has always been intolerant towards Palestinian (and sometimes non-Palestinian) journalists who dare not toe the party line. Hardly a week passes without hearing about another Palestinian journalist who has been arrested or summoned for investigation by the Palestinian Authority.
In recent weeks, the crackdown on journalists in the West Bank seems to have increased in light of the upcoming elections. The PA too wants to remove from the scene any journalist who might harm its loyalists' chances of winning the local and municipal vote. In this regard, journalists are easy prey.
One of the recent victims is Mohamed Abu Khabisah, who reports on economic issues for the Turkish news agency, Anadolu. Palestinian security officers who raided his home shortly after midnight in Al Bireh, near Ramallah, seized his personal computer and documents before taking him into custody. His wife, Hana, said she too was briefly questioned about her husband's source of income and the nature of his work. Palestinian sources say he was apparently arrested for reporting about financial corruption in the Palestinian Authority's official news agency, Wafa.
Abu Khabisah was the sixth journalist to be arrested by the PA since the decision to hold local and municipal elections was taken two months ago. The other four are Yehya Saleh, Raghid Tabisah Ibrahim Al Abed, Mohamed Abu Jheisheh and Ziad Abu Arrah. In another recent incident, Palestinian security officers raided the home of journalist Musab Kafisheh and seized his personal computer, but did not take him into custody.
It is anxiety that is driving Hamas and the Palestinian Authority in their crackdown on Palestinian journalists. The "security reasons" they tout as an excuse for their repression is a foil for their sense of instability: the less politically secure they feel, the more they strip Palestinian journalists of their ability to report how things really stand in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
So far, so good, from the point of view of Hamas and the PA. Palestinian reporters have been duly deterred. But they are far from the only ones affected.
Foreign journalists rely almost entirely on Palestinian "fixers" and producers for information about what is happening under the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. Now, local Palestinians will think ten times before they provide their foreign employers with information. Still, it is a puzzle as to why foreign journalists choose not to report about the campaign of intimidation facing their Palestinian colleagues.
One might wonder if the human rights groups neglect these abuses because of their continued obsession with destroying Israel.
*Khaled Abu Toameh, an award-winning journalist, is based in Jerusalem.
© 2016 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.

Ban the Burqa, Allow the Burkini
Daniel PipesظPhiladelphia Inquirer/August 23/16
http://www.danielpipes.org/16873/ban-the-burqa-allow-the-burkini
France has been seized by a silly hysteria over the burkini, prompting me to wonder when Europeans will get serious about their Islamist challenge.
For starters, what is a burkini? The word (sometimes spelled burqini) combines the names of two opposite articles of female clothing: the burqa (an Islamic tent-like, full-body covering) and the bikini. Also known as a halal swimsuit, it modestly covers all but the face, hands and feet, consisting of a top and a bottom. It resembles a wetsuit with a head covering.
Which is which? A burkini and a wetsuit.
Aheda Zanetti of Ahiida Pty Ltd in Australia claims to have coined the portmanteau in 2003, calling it "smaller than a burka" while "two piece like a bikini." The curious and sensational cross of two radically dissimilar articles of clothing along with the need it fit for active, pious Muslim women, the burkini (as Ahiida notes) was "the subject of an immediate rush of interest and demand." Additionally, some women (like British cooking celebrity Nigella Lawson) wear it to avoid a tan, while pious Jews have adopted a variant garment.
In 2009, a public swimming pool in Emerainville excluded a burkini-wearing woman, on the grounds that she violated pool rules by wearing street clothes. But burkinis only erupted into a national political issue on Aug. 12 when the mayor of Cannes, a resort town on the French Riviera, banned burkinis (without legally defining what exactly they are) on the Cannes beaches because it represents Islamism. A court then confirmed his ban and the prime minister of France, Manuel Valls, further endorsed it (on the grounds that the burkini is a religious expression that has no place on the beach) as did François Fillon, a likely candidate for president next year. Thus encouraged, other French municipalities followed suit, including the city of Nice, plus another nine towns in the Alpes-Maritimes Department as well as five towns in the Var Department.
This development astonishes me, someone who has argued that the burqa (and the niqab, a similar article of clothing that leaves a slit for the eyes) needs to be banned from public places on security grounds. Those formless garments not only hide the face, permitting criminals and jihadis to hide themselves but they permit the wearer to hide, say, an assault rifle without anyone knowing. Men as well as women use burqas as accessories to criminal and jihadi purposes. Indeed, I have collected some 150 anecdotes of bank robberies, abductions, murders, and jihadi attacks since 2002; Philadelphia has become the Western capital of burqas and niqabs as criminal accessories, with at least 34 incidents in 9 years.
In contrast, the burkini poses no danger to public security. Unlike the burqa or niqab, it leaves the face uncovered; relatively tight-fitting, it leaves no place to hide weapons. Men cannot wear it as a disguise. Further, while there are legitimate arguments about the hygiene of large garments in pools (prompting some hotels in Morocco to ban the garment), this is obviously not an issue on the coastal beaches of France.
Accordingly, beach burkinis should be allowed without restriction. Cultural arguments, such as the one made by Valls, are specious and discriminatory. If a woman wishes to dress modestly on the beach, that is her business, and not the state's. It's also her prerogative to choose unflattering swimwear that waterlogs when she swims.
They should both be legal.
The Islamist threat to the West is very real, from the Rushdie rules to sex gangs, taharrush, polygyny, honor killings, partial no-go zones, and beheadings. With the influx to Europe of millions of unvetted Muslim migrants, these problems will grow along with the number of Islamists. Nerves are on edge and the political scene is changing rapidly, as symbolized by half the vote for president of Austria recently going to a hardline anti-immigration politician.
Issues concerning Islam are arguably Europe's number-one concern, ahead even of the European Union and the financial crisis; they need to be dealt with by confronting real problems, not by focusing on symbolic irrelevancies such as burkinis, halal shops, and minarets. Burqas and niqabs must be banned (as the German government may soon do), freedom of speech about Islam and Muslims must be reconfirmed, Saudi and Iranian funding for religious purposes must be cut, and a single legal code must apply to all.
So, my advice: focus on these real problems and let Muslims wear what they wish to the beach.
**Mr. Pipes (DanielPipes.org, [twitter.com/danielpipes]@DanielPipes) is president of the Middle East Forum. © 2016 by Daniel Pipes. All rights reserved.

Who Should Rule Syria?
Jonathan Spyer/The Spectator/August 23/16
http://www.meforum.org/6208/who-should-rule-syria
Nobody. Or at least not all of it. Grasp that and you can see a clear strategy for the West.
The long civil war in Syria is still far from conclusion. Any real possibility of rebel victory ended with the entry of Russian forces last autumn — but while the initiative is now with the Assad regime, the government's forces are also far from a decisive breakthrough. So who, if anyone, should the UK be backing in the Syrian slaughterhouse, and what might constitute progress in this broken and burning land?
It ought to be fairly obvious why a victory for the Assad regime would be a disaster for the West. Assad, an enthusiastic user of chemical weapons against his own people, is aligned with the most powerful anti–Western coalition in the Middle East. This is the alliance dominated by the Islamic Republic of Iran. It includes Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Shia militias of Iraq, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. If Assad won, the Iranian alliance would consolidate its domination of the entire land area between the Iraq-Iran border and the Mediterranean Sea — a major step towards regional hegemony for Iran. So an Assad victory would be good for Islamism — at least of the Shia variety — and bad for world peace. It should be prevented.
Total victory for the Assad regime would be a disaster for the West.
The controversy begins when one starts to look at the alternative to an Assad victory.
In November last year, David Cameron claimed to have identified 70,000 "moderate" rebels ready to challenge Islamic State in the east of Syria. That figure was a myth. Yours truly was among the very first Western journalists to spend time in Syria with the rebels. I recently returned from a trip to southern Turkey, where I interviewed fighters and commanders of the main rebel coalitions. With no particular joy but a good deal of confidence, I can report that the Syrian rebellion today is dominated in its entirety by Sunni Islamist forces. And the most powerful of these are the most radical.
The most potent rebel coalition in Syria today is called Jaish al-Fatah (Army of Conquest). It has three main component parts: Ahrar al-Sham (Free Men of the Levant), a Salafist jihadi group; Jabhat al-Nusra, until recently the official franchise of al-Qaeda in Syria, now renamed Jabhat Fatah al-Sham; and Faylaq al-Sham (Legion of the Levant), whose ideology derives from the Muslim Brotherhood branch of Sunni political Islam.
Ahrar al-Sham fighters in a promotional video screenshot.
Jaish al-Fatah dominates the main rebel-controlled area in Aleppo, Idleb, Latakia and northern Hama. Its various components seek the establishment of a state dominated by Islamic sharia law. There is no reason to suppose that Nusra's recent renunciation of its al-Qaeda affiliation was anything more than tactical. When one speaks of the Syrian rebellion today, one is speaking of Jaish al-Fatah. The small "Free Syrian Army" groups that still exist do so only with Jaish al-Fatah's permission, and only for as long as they serve some useful purpose for it. In the now extremely unlikely event of the Islamist rebels defeating the Assad regime and reuniting Syria under their rule, the country would become a Sunni Islamist dictatorship.
So if there is no British or Western interest in a victory for either the regime or the rebels, what should be done with regard to Syria?
First of all, it is important to understand that "Syria" as a unitary state no longer exists. A rebel commander whom I interviewed in the border town of Kilis in June told me: "Syria today is divided into four projects, none of which is strong enough to defeat all the others. These are the Assad regime, the rebellion, the Kurds and the Islamic State." This is accurate.
Syria has fragmented into enclaves and isn't going to be reunited in the near future, if at all.
So the beginning of a coherent Syria policy requires understanding that the country has fragmented into enclaves, and is not going to be reunited in the near future, if at all.
Various external powers have elected to back one or another element in this landscape. The Russians and Iranians are backing the regime. Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are supporting the Islamist rebels.
The West, too, has established a successful and effective patron-client relationship — with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Dominated by the Kurdish YPG, but including also Arab tribal forces such as the Sanadid militia, this is the force which is reducing the dominions of the Islamic State in eastern Syria, in partnership with Western air power and special forces.
In contrast to the sometimes farcical attempts to identify partners among the Syrian Sunni rebels, the partnership with the Syrian Democratic Forces works. Weaponry does not get passed on to or taken by radical jihadi groups, because the SDF is at war with such groups. Training and assistance produces a united force with a single chain of command. And this force captures ground and frees Syrians living under the vicious rule of Isis.
On the commonsense principle that success should be built on, it is clear that the alliance with the SDF ought to be strengthened and grown. The West is committed, correctly, to the destruction of the Islamic State. The pace of the war against Isis needs to be stepped up. As witnessed in Nice, Würz-burg, Normandy and elsewhere in recent weeks, Isis is an entity that will make war on the West until it is destroyed.
The destruction of the Islamic State by a strengthened SDF would lead to control of Syria east of the Euphrates by a Western client of proven anti-terrorist credentials. Further west, the truncated enclaves of Assad and of the Sunni Arab rebels would remain. It is possible that, over time, the fragmentation of Syria would be formalised. But it's equally likely that the various component parts would remain in de facto existence for the foreseeable future.
Islamist rebels must not be allowed to establish a jihadi state in Syria.
What matters is that three outcomes be avoided: the Assad regime should not be permitted to reunite Syria under its rule, the Islamist rebels should similarly not be allowed to establish a jihadi state in the country, and the Islamic State should not be permitted to remain in existence. By strengthening the alliance with the SDF, utilising it and its allies to take Raqqa and destroy Isis in the east, and then allowing its component parts to establish their rule in eastern and northern Syria, these objectives can be attained. For a change, the US and its allies have found an unambiguously anti-Islamist and anti-jihadi force in the Middle East which has a habit of winning its battles. This is a success which should be reinforced.
*Jonathan Spyer is director of the Rubin Center for Research in International Affairs and a fellow at the Middle East Forum.