The decision by Russia to provide enriched uranium to operate the Iranian nuclear reactor at Bushehr may mark a strategic turning point in western relations with the Muslim world, wrote Satei Noureddine in the Lebanese daily Assafir. The deal is also an indication that the West has come to the conclusion that it can no longer bet on ousting the regime by supporting the reformist movement. It has now realised that it is in need of a stronger Iranian partner to address pending issues in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq.
The agreement is also likely to usher in a new phase of long-term cooperation between Iran and the international community if Tehran waives its uranium enrichment programme and hands over its reserve to Ankara as per the tripartite agreement with Turkey and Brazil. Iran' s official response to the Russian initiative was positive as it pledged to stop immediate uranium enrichment by 20 per cent, provided that the West continues to supply Tehran with the enriched uranium for its civil programmes, and especially for medical use. The supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei said that his country had never vowed not to negotiate with the West if they stopped sanctions. It is possible now that Iran and the US will engage in a strategic partnership in handling the most pressing issues that both parties have a stake in.
In a lead article, the London-based newspaper Al Quds al Arabi noted that the political establishment in Egypt was changing its strategies to strengthen its position during this "the gray period" marked by rising speculations about the health of the president Hosni Mubarak and his prospective successor.
Two political trends have emerged. First, people are encouraged to join new parties other than the ruling party, the aim being to strengthen these parties to act as a liberal opposition within the sphere of the regime. Second, heavy investment in media outlets is geared toward excluding independent "disarrayed" opposition elements and controlling public opinion. An example of this orientation is the move by the Egyptian businessman and secretary general of the opposition Wafd Party, Sayed Badawi, who took over the Addustoor newspaper, known for its attitude against the inheritance of power. But it is not certain whether Mr Badawi will change its editorial line to suit his own stance.
"What can be deduced from such processes is that the regime has a plan to create a secular liberal opposition to counteract the alliance between the Muslim Brotherhood and the movement of Mohamed ElBaradei. The Wafd party, which includes various constituents from different ends of the political spectrum is apparently the best candidate to undertake this role."
"Among the new areas in which al Qa'eda is striving to find a permanent foothold is Yemen, and because of its strategic location it can be the riskiest hotspot," argued Ali Ibrahim in a comment piece for the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al Awsat. Many reports attributed the responsibility of violent clashes and assassinations in the south of Yemen to members of the group. As was the case in Afghanistan, militias take advantage of volatile local conditions and a weak central authority in some provinces to plan and carry out insurgent attacks.
After Iraq and Afghanistan, al Qa'eda has found in Yemen a safe haven to recruit youth and spread its influence across wide areas. A similar strategy is being undertaken in sub-Saharan countries and the Maghreb. Although Yemen may differ from Afghanistan because it still has strong state institutions that can handle the rising power of al Qa'eda, the accumulation of security problems and economic challenges may weaken the government's ability to cope with rising terrorism. For these reasons, Yemen has become in the forefront on the global map for the US and other western countries, because they fear "a second Afghanistan inside the Arab world". "The events in Yemen should prompt Arab countries to join efforts to help it politically, militarily and economically to overcome the crises it is enduring."
"Problems crop up even before the direct negotiations kick off, and the reason this time is the Israeli interpretation of the foundation of such talks. This would likely to abort this process once again," wrote Mazen Hammad in a comment piece for the Qatari newspaper Al Watan.
The Arab League claimed the US was serious in supporting an agreement based on the proposal of the Quartet committee that supports a two-state solution within the 1967 borders. Israel seeks, however, to disassociate direct negotiations from any clear framework. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority is reminding all stakeholders of the previous statement of the Quartet, which recognises that a Palestinian state should include both West Bank and Gaza
Amid this ambiguous situation, the president of Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, has found himself obliged to address the Quartet members, warning that he will suspend talks with Israel if the latter fails to renew its partial freeze on settlement activities. Members of Israeli government, on the other hand, have already been promoting a proposal to resume settlement expansion by September 26, a plan that the US has not formally commented on. This will prompt the Palestinian Authority to reject it and refuse to enter direct talks.
* Digest compiled by Mostapha El Mouloudi @Email:melmouloudi@thenational.ae
