16-31 March 2013      5­-17 Jamadiul Awwal 1434 Hijri


Note: Using editorials as an indicator, this series presents views, understanding and attitude of the Urdu periodicals in India towards various developments concerning the Middle East.  The  selection  of  an  item  does  not  mean  the  endorsement  or concurrence with their accuracy or views. Editor, MEI@ND

Dawat Online (Invitation), New Delhi,
Editorial, 16 March 2013, Saturday
1. Israeli President on tour of Europe
On 12 March, Israeli President, Shimon Peres, addressed the European Parliament during his recent visit of European countries. This tour of Europe has come at a time when the region and the world are at a crucial juncture. Israel will also be affected by the ongoing changes in the region. On the one hand, it faces Hezbollah in Lebanon, which does not recognize Israel. Israel also blames Iran of providing financial and military aid to Hezbollah. Hezbollah has also entered into confrontation with Israel. On the other hand, there is Syria, which supports anti-Israel groups inside and outside the country and has strategic ties with Iran. Israel suspects Syria of having weapons of mass destruction and is ruled by an ambitious regime like Iran. Like Iran, it is also trying to procure advanced technology for sophisticated weapons. Then there is Hamas, which is present right in the middle of the country.

These are issues related to groups opposed to Israel. However, the tour of Europe was of greater importance. The visit has come after the Knesset elections when there is no clarity on government formation. American President Barack Obama is coming to Israel. It is speculated that he will try to push Israel for restoring the peace process. The matter is getting complex and Palestinians are evoking greater sympathy world over. For example, during the UN vote on observer status for Palestine, Israel could garner very little support and even the US support could not prevent its defeat. The European countries were also divided on the issue. Europe is reconsidering its un-conditional support to Israel because it thinks it is paying a huge cost for this. Perhaps, the Israeli President is visiting Europe to restore the confidence of its traditional friends. He mentioned this during his address to the EU parliament. He said that the European countries should relook at their understanding, because what they think is the real issue is not the real issue, rather the real danger is something else which the Europe does not recognize.
Source

The Etemaad Urdu Daily (The Confidence Urdu Daily), Hyderabad
Editorial, 16 March 2013, Saturday
2. Iran-Pakistan Oil Project: A Challenge for the US
Recent regional and international developments had created uncertainties about the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project. But due to continued Iranian efforts the pipeline from Iran to Pakistan is at concluding stage. The initial distance of 900 kilometres is complete and the work of remaining 781 kilometres was inaugurated by Pakistani President on 11 March. India has tried to diversify its sources of energy security and has tried to procure more energy from Arab Gulf countries in place of Iranian oil. But Pakistan does not have much choice when it comes to fulfilling its energy requirements, thus it accepted the Iranian proposal. India has made agreements with eight countries for developing its nuclear energy capabilities. India is not dependent on Iranian oil for fulfilling its energy needs and Iran has been cautious in oil supply due to lack of window for payments.

The American-Pakistani relations are also going through strained times after American military operations inside Pakistani territories. Pakistan would need more allies and friends in the neighbourhood after American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014. Pakistani economy is already in doldrums and it may face reduced American aid after the American exit. Though Pakistan refuses to accept that it receives aid from the US and has maintained that there is no scope for financial aid out of the military purview. Its Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani said that Pakistan gets only US$300 million in aid from the US. She also reiterated that Pakistan will not compromise with its national interest for American interests. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has termed the pipeline as a symbol of struggle against external influence.

However, the US has expressed its reservation over the project and Iran-Pakistan may continue to face problem even after the completion of the laying of pipeline. The two countries in a joint statement have said that the pipeline will help further bilateral relations and add new dimensions to areas of trade, security and political stability.

Pakistan has maintained that it needs Iranian oil and gas supply because it faces abject energy crisis. The foreign office in Pakistan said that they are aware of American reservations but Pakistan expects a conciliatory approach towards the issue as it is an important matter of Pakistani national interest. However, it seems neighbouring countries are cautious about the pipeline project and do not want to take any hasty decision.

It is yet to be seen if the new economic sanctions will cripple Iranian economy as expected by the West or Iran will be able to again wade through the rough waters. The sanctions have certainly affected the Iranian economy as it has reduced oil incomes. Iran’s oil and gas supply has witnessed continuous decline due to the sanctions during 2012.

Things can take new turns and countries like Afghanistan and China may benefit from the project. The world energy market is also changing and this may also become a factor in the entire issue. Oil demand from OPEC countries has declined due to the entry of non-OPEC countries in the international market. Nevertheless, it would be interesting to see how the Iran-Pakistan pipeline shapes up particularly because of the US factor.
Source

Dawat Online (Invitation), New Delhi,
Editorial, 22 March 2013, Friday
3. 10 Years of US Invasion of Iraq
Nineteenth of March 2013 marks the 10 years of second invasion of Iraq by the neo-imperialist powers. The two attacks on Iraq are known as the first and second Gulf Wars. Both the invasions were given some other names by the imperialists and though both operations were similar but were carried out under different instances. The first invasion was said to be against Iraqi invasion against Kuwait and since Iraq has attacked its smaller neighbour it has become a threat to regional peace. Iraq stood alone in this war against the entire world, including the neighbouring Arab countries that had till then backed it against Iran. Iraq was completely destroyed in the operation, it not just suffered massive loss of life but its future generations were put to unsolicited dangers. The irony was that a small invasion was responded with a larger invasion that put the entire humanity to shame. Iraq was not even allowed to explain its side even for the sake of thousands of innocent people. The US and Britain were the leaders in the attack and the operation that started on 2 August 1990 continued till 28 February 1991 (sic).

Twelve years down the line the US, under the presidency of Bush Jr., again attacked Iraq. The first invasion was termed as Operation Desert Storm while the second attack was called Operation Iraqi Freedom. The second attack was carried out to civilize and democratize Iraq. This was again led by the US and Britain but with a difference, they could not gather support of the entire world. Though the people were never in favour of any attack but they came out in massive protests all over the world this time. The world, however, slowly came to know that it was taken for a ride both the times. Today, 22 years later Iraq is still struggling to come to terms with life; peace and security have become rare commodities. The people of Iraq are not able to lead a normal life even after giving sacrifice of thousands of human life. Generations were destroyed and civilization has been completely removed from Iraq. Iraq is still bleeding profusely, what else the two attacks have given to Iraq.
Source

Roznama Sahafat (Journalism Daily), Delhi
Editorial, 22 March 2013, Friday
4. American liking for Israel
Obama expressed his unprecedented love for the Jewish nation on reaching Israel. One reason could be his maiden visit to Israel as President. It could be a way to rectify the complaint of a country which has remained a continuous source of irritation for its Arab neighbours and threatens Iran of an attack from time to time. Obama’s visit is a mere formality because the US does not have any concrete plan for peace in the region. He would also meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas but it is obvious that any meeting with Hamas would be avoided.

He promised permanent support for Israel and warned the enemies of Israel of the American support. Who are these enemies? They are certainly not the Arab countries that have a soft attitude towards Israel rather the reference was to Iran but he avoided taking names. He said that peace should be brought to the holy land but not at the cost of harming Israel. The statements issued by the visiting leader also mentioned the waves of change flowing through the Arab world.

He said that the US-Israel relations are very strong and the US is committed to the security of Israel. Some people inside Israel think that the Obama administration has been lesser supportive to Israel but the American President denied such speculations. Obama also visited Jerusalem and visited a missile battery to show his commitment to Israeli security. The system was developed with the US financial and technological help. The US president does not forget to greet the Muslim world on the occasions of Islamic festivals but loves the cancerous blot in the heart of the Islamic world. The reason is this provides the US with a base to target the entire Middle East.
Source

Roznama Sahafat (Journalism Daily), Delhi
Editorial, 23 March 2013, Saturday
5. Iran-US-Israel
Iranian supreme leader has appealed to the people to stand up to the American and western sanctions on the occasion of Nowroz. During his address through the national television channel he said that the people of Iran can collectively fight the sanctions and come out stronger. He also clarified that the enemies will not end their designs against Iran. It is a practical message. This shows his touch with ground realities, as against the American and Israeli leaders who fail to look at the facts.

The sanctions, according to him, will not force Iran to bend and these sanctions will not be able to cripple the economy as intended. It is true that the sanctions have affected the people of Iran but the supreme leader said that it has also increased people’s resilience and Iran will continue to flourish despite all difficulties.

The Iranian leadership is commendable that they have not allowed the sanctions to affect the people. The people are with the leadership which has irritated the American and the Israeli leaders. Thus the Israeli leaders have been threatening Iran of an attack. The US has also said that it will back Israel in all its good and bad endeavours. Though the two have differences over who will take the lead and who will play the role of supporter. Israel wants the US to attack Iran immediately, though the US says that Israel has the right to take action to ensure its security. Israeli and American leaderships also said that the two countries share the concerns on Iranian nuclear programme. The American President during his recent visit to Israel said that Israel has the right to secure itself and that the US will provide Israel with military aid and technology.

During the visit, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he extends his hands to the people of Palestine for peace. But does he really mean it? If yes, why is Israel not ready to stop and dismantle Jewish settlements in the West Bank? The problem is Israel wants everything on its own terms and the West supports it. The American leaders have become so blind in Israeli love that they are unable to see the crisis the US is going through internally.
Source

The Siasat Daily (The Politics Daily), Hyderabad
Editorial, 23 March 2013, Saturday
6. Barack Obama in the Middle East
The recent visit of American President Barack Obama to the Middle East was aimed at ensuring Israel of American support for its security. Peace for the people of Palestine was just another agenda in the list. Although the US understands that the security for Israel cannot be ensured without resolution of the Palestinian issue. In fact no country in the region feels secure and peaceful because of the conflict. The visit has come for praise from both Israeli and Arab sides but to what extent it will help in rejuvenating the dying peace process is uncertain. It should be the most important task on Obama’s agenda. Though American mediation has not achieved as much success as expected but previous American administrations have tried to take forward the peace process but most of the time they have failed to make any major breakthrough due to pressure from the Jewish lobby. Obama wants to get some breakthrough in the peace process during his second term. He said during his visit to Palestine that the US is committed to the establishment of an independent state of Palestine. The problem has become much more complex because the US and Israel have conditioned the peace process to Iranian nuclear programme. But in all the political and strategic manoeuvring, the people of Palestine have become only a fuel in the fire. The step in the direction of resumption of the peace process, if the American president is serious about it, should be restoration of the dignity of people of Palestine and restriction on Israel on suppressing the people. The problem is these remarks which Obama made during his visit are only for public consumption and does not mean anything serious. Once he will be back in Washington, all these rhetoric would be forgotten. The Middle East peace process cannot be resumed until and unless Israel stops construction of settlements in occupied areas. Though Obama has used strong words, it could be more a result of Israeli concerns due to the waves of change in the Arab world. Israel is wary of these changes because it thinks that new popular governments may not toe American line on the conflict. In fact, Israeli concerns are not completely unfounded. Its relations with Turkey and Egypt have become strained. Israeli isolation is a headache for the US. It does not want Israel to confront another movement in the occupied Palestinian lands. The people of Palestine do not have to take inspiration from Arab waves of change; they have a heritage of protests and movements for political cause. The US must have taken note of the changing scenario in the Arab world and thus is concerned about Israeli security but the only way it can be ensured is through giving the Palestinians an opportunity to live a life of dignity in their own land in an independent state of Palestine.
Source

Compiled and Translated by Md. Muddassir Quamar

Md.  Muddassir   Quamar   is  a  Doctoral  Candidate   at  the  School  of International  Studies,  Jawaharlal   Nehru  University.  Email

As part of its editorial policy, the MEI@ND standardizes spelling and date formats to make the text uniformly accessible and stylistically consistent. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views/positions of the MEI@ND. Editor, MEI@ND: P R Kumaraswamy.