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While there is a broad range of Arabic language media outlets reporting stories from and about the Middle East, there is currently no affordable and reliable means for English speakers to gain access to this content. As a result, many English speaking businesspersons, students, journalists and others who have an interest in the affairs of the region are largely unaware of what the Middle East media is covering and how they are covering these stories.

Mideastwire.com aims to close this gap by offering a daily menu of translations covering some of the key political, cultural, economic and opinion pieces appearing in the media of the 22 Arab countries and the Arab Diaspora. Through this effort, we hope to address at least one aspect of a global disconnect that continues to threaten a wide spectrum of socio-political and economic relationships, both here in the region and beyond.

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TODAY’S DAILY BRIEFING

30-Jun-2016

Algeria

Politics

"Human Rights League accuses Morocco of targeting Algeria; warns about tonnes of smuggled drugs..." (El-Khabar, Algeria)

Arab Diplomacy - Human Rights

On June 26, the daily El-Khabar reported: "The Algerian League for the Defence of Human Rights has said that Morocco "has flooded Algeria with hundreds of tonnes of drugs in the last nine years". The human rights organisation estimated the quantity during the said period of time at 800 tonnes and, according to it, 154,000 people were involved including 1,279 foreigners. In a report yesterday on the International Day for Combating Drugs marked on 26 June every year, the league said "The quantity (of drugs) which has been smuggled across the border far exceeds the quantity declared because of the massive spread of drugs at schools, universities and poor districts." The report said: "Tonnes of drugs come through the Algerian border from Morocco, which poses a threat to Algerian youths. Algeria is in the second place after Spain at the international level as regards the amount of drugs seized." The report quoted anti-drugs teams of the National Security that about three tonnes had been seized since the beginning of 2016… (Read More)

"Security forces arrest 332 members of Daesh recruitment networks who were active..." (Newspaper, Middle East)

Terrorism

On June 25, the Algerian daily Echourouk el-Youmi reported: "The military forces and intelligence services have arrested 332 members of Daesh support and recruitment network in 40 operations in 11 provinces. The groups tried to attract the largest number of young men and women through direct contacts or electronic contacts via social network sites to join the camps of the terrorist organisation called the Islamic State which is led by Abu-Bakr al-Baghdadi by using forged passports. According to Echourouk's sources, the security forces managed to arrest the youths thanks to intelligence work. It transpired that most of the detainees who were questioned had decided to join the terrorist organisation by using forged passports, while others worked on selecting their victims among unemployed youths and those who were prone to listening to their speeches on jihad against infidels, resurrection of the caliphate and establishment of the alleged Islamic State. The sources added that the destruction of the networks was carried out in 11 provinces, namely Algiers, Boumerdes, Blida, Tizi Ouzou in the centre, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Jijel, Skikda, Batna and Tebessa in the east and El Oued and Illizi in the southeast on the border with Libya, and that most of the detainees were aged between 22 and 46 and used forged identity documents… (Read More)

TV Director Djeriou disputes closure (El-Khabar, Algeria)

Judicial Affairs - Media

On June 26, the daily El-Khabar reported: "Abdelkader Djeriou has said that he did not expect the suspension of the "Roof People" programme which was broadcast on KBC El-Khabar TV at the beginning of the month of Ramadan. He said that the decision created an unprecedented state of solidarity by people who had followed the series which gained great popularity. He revealed that the team decided to continue to show the "Roof People" on YouTube. The director of the "Roof People", Abdelkader Djeriou described the decision to suspend the programme as tyrannical and said in a statement to El-Khabar yesterday: "Even if there were administrative problems, the authorities were capable of offering solutions. The programme in itself did not require a license because the production was carried out within El-Khabar TV channel and was photographed in a studio not outside or areas where a license would have been required." He added: "Furthermore, the controlling authority is the body that is authorised to prescribe punitive measures and it is authorised by law to intervene and issue warnings if there are breaches."… (Read More)

Report says youths encouraging Shi'i conversion (Newspaper, Middle East)

Judicial Affairs - Religion

On June 27, the Algerian newspaper Echourouk el-Youmi reported: "Reliable sources have told Echourouk that a group of youths comprising about 10 people have been recently distributing leaflets and folders openly calling for conversion to Shi'ism and embracing the Shi'i faith at many mosques in Bouira Provinces. According to the sources, the youths linked to the Shi'i faith have been exploiting the Tarawih prayers when the largest possible number of people congregate at mosques during the month of Ramadan and try to win them over and openly urge them to embrace the teachings of the Shi'i faith by luring them in various ways including booklets which explain the bases of the faith which is alien to the country. Meanwhile those people remain active in many areas and municipalities preaching Shi'ism secretly. However, the sources did not specify the real identity or affiliation but, according to other sources, it is likely that they are linked to foreign sides which preach the Shi'i faith… (Read More)

Egypt

Opinion

“Egypt is in danger” (Al-Masry al-Yawm, Egypt)

Democracy and Party Politics - Unrest

On June 28, the independent Al-Masry al-Yawm newspaper carried the following opinion piece by Mohamed Abou El-Ghar… (Read More)

Iraq

Politics

“US forces train 15,000 Tribal Mobilization fighters in Nineveh Governorate” (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)

Military and Security - USA Europe

On June 30, the Qatari-owned Al-Quds al-Arabi daily carried the following report by its correspondent in Erbil Omar al-Jabouri: “Nineveh Governor Nawfal Hamadi as-Sultan spoke to Al-Quds al-Arabi about the formation of a Tribal Mobilization force composed of 15,000 fighters from the Nineveh Governorate, following the Iraqi government’s approval. And these fighters will be provided with weapons and vehicles, and will fight alongside the Iraqi Armed Forces in the battle to liberate Mosul. As-Sultan indicated they will be deployed along several axes in the city in the few coming days, once they receive arms and training, continuing: “Tribal Mobilization will play an efficient role in fighting and expelling the organization from the city, alongside the Iraqi security forces. The city’s liberation must be hastened, knowing it might be retaken this year. And there is constant progress by the military troops in southern Mosul towards the city’s center… (Read More)

Lebanon

Politics

“When the Future Movement sympathizes with terrorism and rejects “self-security”” (Newspaper, Middle East)

Democracy and Party Politics - Refugees - Terrorism - Unrest

On June 30, the pro-March 8 Al-Binaa newspaper carried the following report by Hitaf Daham: “The noose is tightening around ISIL on the military level, as it is retreating in Syria and Iraq. But the danger resides in the fact that when tens of thousands of armed men are dispersed by military strikes, they have no choice but to carry out retaliatory security acts, which is why ISIL’s security activities will increase. The explosions in El-Qaa, Jordan and Turkey thus appear to be a reaction to the terrorist organization’s retreat, and we can say this is just the beginning. And the regional states, including Lebanon, are about to face a truly difficult stage... At this level, a prominent political source said to Al-Binaa: “The scope of those targeted by terrorism is wide. If it is confronting states, it will target gatherings, crowds and facilities in them, in parallel to the traditional targeting of the Shi’i and Christian minorities, or international sides such as the UNIFIL, embassies and diplomats… (Read More)

“Rifi rejects Asiri’s request to visit Al-Hariri” (As-Safir, Lebanon)

Arab Diplomacy - Democracy and Party Politics

On June 30, the independent, leftist As-Safir daily newspaper carried the following report by Ghassan Rifi: “The ousted Minister of Justice, Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi, knows that his relationship with [former] PM Sa’d al-Hariri and his movement has reached the point of no return; and that the political differences have turned into an estrangement translated by the “Future leader” [i.e. Al-Hariri] through the multi-faceted attack that he launched against the “son of the Hariri house” at the main iftar and the meetings that he had with his cadres during his visit to Tripoli last weekend… (Read More)

“The ‘El-Qaa conquest:’ displacement followed by expansion of the refugees and a base for ISIL” (As-Safir, Lebanon)

Refugees - Terrorism

On June 30, Imad Marmal wrote the following report in the independent, leftist As-Safir daily newspaper: “Even at the farewell of its martyrs, El-Qaa proved it is at the “top.” [El-Qaa is Arabic for ‘the bottom’]. It challenged the imminent threats, fought the ghosts of terrorism in broad daylight, and showed loyalty and selflessness to those who spilled their blood to defend it. The farewell of the martyrs was not a mere funeral. It rather seemed like an action of resistance and life in the face of the obscure tide… The people rose above their deep sorrow and justified concern. They send a counter-message to the takfiris, one that does not require much explanation: “We are staying here and we won’t leave… (Read More)

Libya

Opinion

Haftar Address to the Council of Benghazi (Website, Middle East)

Military and Security - Terrorism

On June 22, the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Lt-Gen Khalifa Haftar, gave a speech and said, in part: "...We have not decided on anything. We need to gather information first and then we must adopt a calculated plan. Praise be to God, so far we have not failed in anything. It is not that easy as they have been there for two years.... There are 26 tribes in Sirte and they are all Libyans"… (Read More)

Middle East

Opinion

“Retaliate against the victims!” (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)

Refugees - Terrorism

On June 30, the Qatari-owned Al-Quds al-Arabi carried the following lead editorial: “Following the multiple suicide explosions in the Christian town of El-Qaa, in the Lebanese Northern Bekaa Valley, an unknown movement calling itself “The Movement of the Free in the Northern Bekaa” sent threats to the gatherings of Syrian refugees, saying: “You must leave the Northern Bekaa and especially this town [El-Qaa] within 48 hours after you receive this decision, lest you are dealt with as enemies. And you will not be safe, as we will burn your homes, rape your daughters and wives, and kill your children. And he who warns is excused.” A few days earlier, a group of Jordanian security men had been targeted by a suicide-bomber driving a booby-trapped car, which crossed a refugee camp located on Syrian soil near the Jordanian border, prompting similar calls to the ones heard in Lebanon, to expel and harass the Syrian refugees… (Read More)

Morocco

Politics

“Morocco and the Brexit: The state will win politically and economically...” (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)

USA Europe

On June 30, the Qatari-owned Al-Quds al-Arabi daily carried the following report by its correspondent in Madrid Hussein Majdoubi: “Britain’s exit from the European Union, a.k.a. the “Brexit,” is still earning attention by the states enjoying bilateral ties with London, and within the Moroccan Diaspora in Europe, which considers it has lost in light of its likely inability to move to this country in the future... And though the Moroccan Diaspora in Britain is limited in numbers compared to others, as Britain is not a main destination for it, unlike France, Spain or the Netherlands, the opinions polled by Al-Quds al-Arabi among the Moroccan immigrants revealed their concerns towards the Brexit. Aziz D., who lives in Spain, said to Al-Quds al-Arabi: “During the last few years, Britain became a destination for Moroccans carrying the nationalities of European States, such as Spain, France and Italy… (Read More)

Syria

Opinion

“Armies are “proliferating” on the Syrian fighting fronts: Who is behind the New Syrian Army…?” (Website, Middle East)

Military and Security - USA Europe

On June 29, the electronic Rai al-Youm daily newspaper carried the following lead editorial: “Several armies and factions had made an appearance and then disappeared from the Syrian scene over the past five years. One figure indicates that more than 1,200 armed groups were present in 2012 and they received support from several American, European and Arab sources. However, the field map seems different these days as some armed groups have disappeared for good, and others merged into larger organizations such as the Islamic State, Al-Islam Army, An-Nusra Front, the Free Army, Ahrar al-Sham and so on and so forth… (Read More)

Turkey

Opinion

“Why did Erdogan apologize to Putin?” (An-Nahar, Lebanon)

On June 29, Monaliza Freiha wrote the following piece in An-Nahar daily: “Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is not the kind of leader who apologizes easily even if he is wrong. He has a fierce temperament and arrogance that do not permit him to carry out such a step especially with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, who is much like him and who knows exactly how to take advantage of this apology… (Read More)

“The Turkish-Israeli agreement is not ideal, however…[ellipses as published]” (Filastin al-An, Palestine)

On June 29, the pro-Hamas Filastin al-An website carried the following piece by Ibrahim Abdullah, the former head of the Islamic movement in Palestine: “The agreement between Turkey and Israel is not ideal. We do not hesitate to say that just as the Turkish leadership did not hesitate to say it. However, Turkey under the Justice and Development Party should be proud for having achieved the following goals under the complicated local, regional, and international circumstances… (Read More)

“Turkey sides with its interests” (Al-Hayat al-Jadidah, Palestine)

Arab Diplomacy - Peace Process

On June 29, the pro-PA Al-Hayat al-Jadidah newspaper carried the following opinion piece by Omar Hilmi al-Ghoul: “Finally, the Israeli-Turkish agreement has seen the light and its facets have become clear and unequivocal, while the populist slogans dissipated in the face of Turkey’s national interests... Erdogan has lost yesterday’s allies, i.e. Abdullah Gul, the party’s theoretician Ahmet Davutoglu, and Fethullah Gulen, and relinquished the slogan of “zero problems,” which had been governing Turkey’s policy since 2002, when the Justice and Development Party came to power in the country. As a result, Ottoman Turkey drowned in the swamps of the Arab states’ conflicts in general, and the Syrian and Egyptian ones in particular, and in conflicts with the regional countries, the Balkans, the European Union, the Russian Federation, and even America and NATO… (Read More)

Abdul Bari Atwan on the Istanbul attacks (Website, Middle East)

Religion - Terrorism

On June 29, the electronic Rai al-Youm daily newspaper carried the following piece by Abdul Bari Atwan: “The phone call that Russian President Vladimir Putin made to speak with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan today, softened the effect of the shock resulting from the terrorist bombings at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul… President Putin strongly condemned these attacks and immediately issued his instructions to lift all the economic sanctions that were imposed on Turkey as a reaction to the downing of the Russian jet… (Read More)

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