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By COMPILEDTHE MEDIA LINEIndonesian soldiers, part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, look out over the Lebanese-Israeli border on January 19.(photo credit: REUTERS)Israel intervened in the Syrian WarAn-Nahar, Lebanon, January 31After it failed at toppling Assad’s regime in every other way, Israel decided to intervene militarily in the Syrian civil war. The support received by the Syrian opposition forces from the Gulf states, from Turkey, and from the American and European forces did not suffice to topple Assad’s regime. Rather, it resulted in the destruction of Syria and the rise of jihadist movements, such as Islamic State and Al-Nusra Front. Israel waited for a window of opportunity, and it came: The opposition forces scored several military achievements against Assad, just as Israel decided to attack the Kuneitra region.The Israeli attack on a Hezbollah convoy was not meant just to thwart a potential attack, but also to send a clear message that it is prepared to support the Syrian opposition in its all-out war against Assad. Hence, the Hezbollah retaliation this week, in an attack on an Israeli convoy patrolling the Lebanese border, was a clear message back: Your intervention in Syria will not be without costs. Israel will not be able to support the rebels from the air, paving their way to Damascus, without paying a painful price on the Lebanese front. The last time Israel intervened in a civil war to affect its outcome was in 1982, in Lebanon. History taught us that it did not end so well for Israel. There is no reason to believe that the results will be better this time around. – Samich Saeb State, not individual, terrorism Al-Masri al-Youm, Egypt, January 31The Sinai bombings that took place last Thursday, attributed to Islamic State, require us to take action.We have the duty and obligation to remind the world again and again of the Jeddah Summit, held this past summer, where we agreed on a unified Arab battle against terror. Granted, there are countries that already invest great efforts fighting extremist jihadists.Their efforts should not be overlooked. But the recent attack in Sinai changes things. Why? Because its scale and scope suggest that it is was not carried out by random individuals, but rather by a state actor. Thus, it is time for all of us to unite and fight Islamic State together, collectively, as a unified front. We must all make sure that terrorists are not funded, fed, or given any type of support. This is not what I heard and saw from Turkey, for example. We simply cannot accept this. In Iraq, in Libya, in Egypt, and anywhere else – the fight against terror should be an international effort, not a local one. – Sliman Jawda The king’s new economic policy Al-Hayat, London, January 28Saudi Arabia’s new leader, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, who inherited the title from his brother, has several economic issues to deal with in upcoming years. Under his brother’s rule, Salman was in charge of overseeing economic development, trade and commerce in the Riyadh Province. Now that he has inherited the kingship, Salman must translate his success in Riyadh into a national success in the entire kingdom.Namely, he must focus on diversifying Saudi Arabia’s economy, shifting it away from the reliance on oil exports, and strengthening its industrial and commercial sector.Several models for this have already been created in the kingdom, such as the Jubail Industrial City, which is the largest civil engineering project in the world to this very day. Encouraging small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs to develop their enterprises is also vital, and King Abdulaziz can achieve this through various tax incentives, training programs and subsidies. Overall, Saudi Arabia’s economy is performing well, and the kingdom is profiting from its stable economic growth. Pushing the economy forward and ensuring its stability in years to come ought to be the new king’s current concern. – Amr al-Mahboub Bullets undermine hope for the futureAsharq al-Awsat, London, January 31Three bullets hit a FlyDubai airliner approaching the Baghdad airport last week, suspending not only flights to the Iraqi capital, but also hopes for stability and a better future in the country. A long time will have to pass before major airlines, transferring thousands of passengers and cargo daily, will agree to resume their flights to Iraq. The shots severely undermined the belief in the central government’s ability to control the country. Sadly, enhancing the airport’s security apparatus will not be enough to restore the people’s lost faith in the state and its institutions. Is Iraq more unsafe today than it was a year ago? This incident awakened old fears of an invasion of Baghdad by Islamic State and the city being captured by jihadists.What is even more frightening is the Iraqi politicians’ ineptitude: Security concerns that were raised over a year ago, namely the need to form a national guard, are still being discussed and debated today.Nothing has been done. With two Iraqi cities, Tikrit and Mosul, under the control of Islamists, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has to prove more seriousness.Syria has already fallen apart. Baghdad needs to assure its people that Iraq isn’t next. – Abd al-Rahman al-RashedDiscontent and angerAl-Jarida, Kuwait, January 24I can still recall the construction of a new mosque right by Cairo’s Ramses Square, sometime during the 1980s. It was a contentious site in Cairo, one which symbolized the never-ending conflict between the regime and the growing political Islam movement.There were always security forces guarding the mosque, while extremist preachers inside were inciting worshipers against the regime. This was the breeding ground from which the protests and demonstrations of the Muslim Brotherhood emerged.Today, each time I turn on the Egyptian television to find an Islamist preacher speaking fanatically against the regime, this is the scene I recall. I am reminded of the worshipers’ and preachers’ angry faces, and the loud shouts coming from within the mosque. Having lost their power and political leadership not only in Egypt but also in Tunisia, I can understand why these Muslim Brotherhood activists are angry. But if history has taught us anything, it is that while violence may deviate from our path, it is our collective truth that will show us the way. Their anger will not deter us. It will only bring us close together, standing stronger against radicalism and extremism. – Abd al-Tayef al-ManawiThemedialine.org is an American nonprofit news agency covering the Middle East.
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