Mediaboss Marketing

Advertisement

The Iran-Saudi Arabia agreement to restore diplomatic relations signals a major de-escalation between the two bitter rivals. However, the manner in which this deal came about raised more questions than the rapprochement itself. The agreement was brokered by China and signed in Beijing, thus signaling a significant shift in power alignments in the Middle East.

Historically, most of the accords in the Middle East have been either mediated or sponsored by the United States. Given the significant geostrategic and economic value of the region, these accords primarily between Israel and Arab states not only reflected the immense U.S.influence but also showcased Washingtons primacy in the region. Many have thus already described the recent development as a power shift, with China emerging as a significant player in the Middle East, replacing the U.S.

Though the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two Middle Eastern nations may not lead to a dramatic change in the regional security equation, the optics of Beijing playing an effective mediatory role between these long-time adversaries will surely raise Chinas status as a regional political player. In due course, other countries in the Gulf and beyond may begin seeing China as a more reliable mediator than Washington.

The ease with which China has filled the vacuum created by the United States falling political and economic engagement with the Middle East, some experts argue, would eventually catapult Beijing to global hegemony. However, global hegemony, as John Mearsheimer would argue, may prove to be an unattainable goal; more realistically, political influence over the Gulf may help China realize its regional ambitions. Regional hegemony would effectively enable China to neutralize its peer competitors in other regions too.

Get briefed on the story of the week, and developing stories to watch across the Asia-Pacific.

But having China as a regional hegemon in Asia would not augur well for Indias geostrategic ambitions.

Enjoying this article? Click here to subscribe for full access. Just $5 a month.

The announcement of the rapprochement was significant on two other accounts. First, it timed to coincide with the beginning of Xi Jinpings unprecedented third term as the president of China, which reflected his complete grip on the party and thus laid to rest rumors about any simmering dissent. Second, it laid bare Chinas geopolitical ambitions of seeking political influence in the Middle East, something which Beijing always denied in the past. China has repeatedly declared that its interests in the Middle East are only economic. Some believe that it is only a matter of time before Beijing establishes a military presence in the region. This deal, therefore, comes with a huge red flag for India and raises important geopolitical and strategic questions for New Delhi.

Indias response to the recent Iran-Saudi Arabia rapprochement has so far been muted, and some experts have termed this silence disquieting. The question is, what should Indias official response be? No democracy can openly show hostility toward a peace initiative, even when brokered by an adversary. India has traditionally welcomed any reestablishment of diplomatic ties between these two nations. India also openly welcomed the agreementlast yearbetween the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran to resume the exchange of ambassadors.

New Delhi, it seems, is patiently watching events unfold and has rightly not been hasty in dismissing the Chinese initiative. On the whole, Indian interests in the Gulf would plausibly be more secure if the two bitter rivals were actively working to de-escalate mutual tensions. India, among other countries, also gained from the2001 security agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which prevented active conflict for 10 years despite deep mutual mistrust.

Iran was one of the primary oil suppliers to India, making up 11 percent of the total oil imports, up until 2019, when the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Iran after revoking the nuclear deal. India stopped its oil imports from Iran, and this significantly impacted Indias energy sufficiency, adding strain to the domestic economy.

At the same time, Indian and Chinese interests in the Gulf have the potential to be in conflict. Like India, China is a major importer of Saudi oil. Chinese oil imports from Iran are substantial, whereas Iran has traditionally been a major hydrocarbon supplier for India. A China-friendly Middle East would give Beijing leverage to manipulate Indias interests, besides greatly boosting Chinas Belt and Road investments and its African ambitions.

Moreover, in the realpolitik sense, increasing Chinese influence in the Middle East may indirectly help Pakistan, both economically and strategically. Given the close relationship between Islamabad and Beijing, China may advocate Pakistans case and influence rich Gulf countries to help ease Pakistans financial woes. In such a scenario, the Middle East under Chinas sphere of influence may fundamentally undermine Indias commercial and security interests.

Despite all this, the current developments may strangely create an opportunity for India to project itself as a more effective alternative to China. The hesitance of the United States to spend more political capital on mediating conflicts in the Middle East creates an opportunity for others to fill this space. Some would argue that China has already or is beginning to fill this vacuum. However, given Indias long-standing relationships with most of the Gulf states, it has a clear edge over China to become a more reliable partner and mediator. The large Indian diaspora in the Middle East is a formidable asset that provides India with a unique soft power advantage. This diaspora can act as a steadfast anchor in relations, irrespective of policy shifts and external shocks.

Moreover, given the potential tilt in the balance of power with the rise of China in the gulf region, the United States would inevitably put its weight behind any Indian effort as a future peacemaker in the Gulf.

Another added advantage for India is its growing cooperation with Israel. The I2U2 partnership between India, Israel, the UAE, and the U.S. has already put India on the regions alliance canvas. New Delhi has strong motivations to push I2U2 as it seeks to reframe its relationship with the Middle East and gain a bigger footprint in the region. New Delhi can leverage its de-hyphenated stance in the Middle East to act as a bridge between Arab states and the Jewish nation.

Indian and Chinese interests in the Gulf could become mutually exclusive if China restricts its ambition to the economic domain, something which China has publicly maintained. Indian interests will be compromised if China intends to use the Gulf region for its force projection. India needs to patiently assess if Chinas growing involvement in the Gulf is detrimental to its long-term security interests and the regional balance of power. At the same time, recent developments also provide a window of opportunity for India to embed itself as a significant player in the Middle East.

Excerpt from:
China's Role in the Iran-Saudi Deal May Not Be All That Bad for India - The Diplomat

Iran will continue its attempts to harm Israelis around the world, especially in the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean, the National Security Council (NSC) warned on Monday.

In its guidance for Israeli travelers ahead of the Passover holiday, the NSC emphasized that Iran and its proxies present a particular threat in countries neighboring Iran, including the United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Bahrain.

Cyprus and Greece, popular holiday destinations for Israelis, are also countries where Iran is likely to target Jews and Israelis, according to the assessment.

The NSC did not warn against travel to these destinations, but instead called on Israelis to be aware, to act responsibly in accordance with the level of danger in the country being visited.

The NSC lists Muslim partners Turkey, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt as Level 3 threats, meaning that all non-essential travel should be avoided.

Get The Times of Israel's Daily Editionby email and never miss our top stories

Iranian plots have been foiled in several of these countries over the past year. In November last year, Georgian security officials foiled an attempt by a Pakistani citizen to murder an Israeli in Georgia on orders from an Iranian operative.

In July, Turkish forces foiled an attempt by Iranian agents to kill Israelis in Istanbul, arresting three men.

The news came a month after the Mossad spy agency and its local counterparts managed to thwart three Iranian attacks targeting Israeli civilians in Istanbul. Iran denied the allegations.

Members of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stand in front of Shahab-3 missile which is displayed during the annual al-Quds Day rally in Tehran, Iran, April 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Also in June, security forces in Thailand were reportedly successful in preventing an Iranian agent from establishing a terror cell in the country and potentially carrying out attacks against Israelis.

In October 2021, Israel said that an Iranian plot against Israeli businessmen in Cyprus had been foiled.

There have also been warnings by Israeli officials about Iranian terrorist infrastructure in Western Europe. Ahead of the high holidays last year, security officials said that several Iranian attempts to attack dissidents had been uncovered in Europe, indicating the regime has infrastructure and personnel in place that could be directed against Israelis.

There were activities in Western Europe and Scandinavia against opposition figures, and also reports of activities against American officials on European soil, a security source told Ynet last year.

Turkish authorities arrest an alleged Iranian cell that sought to target Israelis in Istanbul on June 23, 2022. (Screen capture/CNN Turkey)

Iran and Israel have been engaged in a decades-long shadow war across the Middle East and beyond.

In the past year, attempts by Iranian terror operatives to establish contact (using a business cover/disguise) with Israeli citizens, in Israel and abroad, has continued, the 2023 report read, in order to extract them to carry out an attack or to kidnap them.

The NSC also warned that Sunni jihadist groups like Islamic State and al-Qaeda have been increasing calls lately to strike Jews and Israelis around the world.

Israeli tourists at Ras Sheitan in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, on April 5, 2021. (Jacob Magid/Times of Israel)

Tens of thousands of Israelis head to Egypts Sinai Peninsula over the Passover holiday every year. The report warned them to remain in recognized tourist areas secured by Egyptian forces.

Passover beings on the evening of April 5 and runs through the evening of April 13.

The NSC also pointed out that the Muslim holy month of Ramadan coincides with Passover this year: Unusual security incidents across Judea and Samaria, Jerusalem (and the Temple Mount), and Israel could, as in the past, influence heightened motivation to carry out attacks against Israelis abroad.

You're a dedicated reader

Were really pleased that youve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.

Thats why we started the Times of Israel ten years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.

So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we havent put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.

For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.

Thank you, David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel

See the article here:
Israel warns Passover travelers of Iranian plots to harm them abroad - The Times of Israel

TEHRAN, March 23 Mohammad Javad enters a fashionable shop in well-to-do north Tehran with his mother. For the first time ever he wants a necktie, long banned in Iran as a symbol of Western decadence.

The 27-year-old dentist said he opted for this clothing accessory in hopes of looking his best during the first meeting with his future in-laws.

Advertising

Advertising

"In our society, wearing a tie is like wearing a mask before Covid-19 hit, he said as the salesman adjusted his suit. "People would look at you differently because the negative view still remains.

"I think a man looks chic with one. Unfortunately, we Iranians have imposed strange and unnecessary restrictions on ourselves. Itll take time for that to change, but hopefully it will.

Dress rules have stoked strong passions in Iran, especially restrictions on women who have long been required to wear modest clothing and headscarves.

Iran was gripped by unrest, labelled "riots by the authorities, after the September 16 death in custody of Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini, 22, following her arrest for an alleged violation of the countrys strict dress code for women.

Iran banned the tie for men after the 1979 overthrow of the US-backed monarch as a symbol of Western culture. Although it has made a slow comeback since, government officials and most Iranian men continue to shun the cravat.

The upmarket Zagros shop on the capitals Nelson Mandela Boulevard however displays rows of ties in different colours and in wool, cotton or silk.

"We sell around 100 a month, said deputy store manager Mohammad Arjmand, 35. "We import them mostly from Turkey, but some are also made in Iran.

"Customers buy them for ceremonies or for work. In this neighbourhood, you will find that two out of 10 people wear one. These days more people are wearing ties compared with previous decades.

The recent unrest "had no effect on our sales, said branch manager Ali Fattahi, 38. "Our customers who were wearing ties before still do so and come to us regularly to buy new ones.

Sign of decadence

Irans Shiah clerics who came to power in 1979 banned the tie because, in their eyes, it was un-Islamic, a sign of decadence, a symbol of the cross and the quintessence of Western dress imposed by the shah, said one trader who asked not to be identified.

After vanishing for decades, ties reappeared in some shop windows during the era of reformist president Mohammad Khatami from 1997 to 2005.

Today, government ministers, senior civil servants and heads of state-owned companies dont wear ties with their suits and opt for shirts with buttoned, open or Mao collars.

Lawyer Masoud Molapanah said "wearing a tie is certainly not a crime under the constitution or Islamic sharia law. "But there are dress restrictions in certain places such as on television.

Javad, while choosing his tie, was accompanied by his chador-clad mother, who not only encourages him to wear one but also asked the salesmen to teach her how to tie it properly for her son.

"At one time, some sought to remove it, said the 50-year-old state employee, with a smile. "The reason given was the rejection of any sign of Westernisation.

"But then it would have been necessary to also remove the suit and return to the traditional dress worn at the time of the Qajar dynasty of 1794-1925, she said, adding this "was obviously impossible.

Ties give prestige

The head of a nearby Pierre Cardin store, Mehran Sharifi, 35, said many young people now are enthusiastic about the necktie.

"Ties give prestige to people a lot of people buy them, said this son and grandson of a tailor, pointing to a century-old photograph on the wall of his grandfather wearing a tie.

"Customers come to buy suits and we match ties to their choice of clothing. Others buy them as a gift.

In some classy cafes, the black tie or bowtie are part of the uniform of waiters, and doctors in several Tehran districts have also sported ties.

The fashion accessory is almost compulsory for Iranians working at embassies and in some foreign companies, although most remove it when they go out on the street.

Sadeq, 39, employed at the Japanese embassy, said he puts on his tie when he gets to work "because wearing a tie in public is not very common in Iran.

"If you dress up like that and walk in the street, youll definitely turn a few heads. People will think youre either a foreigner or someone headed to a very formal meeting with foreigners. AFP

See the rest here:
Once banned, now back: Iran sees timid return of neckties - Malay Mail

WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden used a White House event to mark Persian New Year on Monday to pay tribute to Iranian women and girls who took to the streets of Iran to protest following the death last year of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini and vowed to keep pressure on Tehran.

Biden said he wished the Nowruz holiday, a nearly 4,000-year-old tradition known as the Festival of Fire thats linked to the Zoroastrian religion, would be a moment of hope for the women of Iran fighting for their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The United States stands with those brave women and all the citizens of Iran who are inspiring the world with their conviction, Biden said, describing the reception as the biggest White House Nowruz celebration to date. Were going to continue to hold Iranian officials accountable for their attacks against their people.

The United States, Europe and the United Kingdom have imposed a series of fresh sanctions on dozens of Iranian officials and organizations, including the countrys special military and police forces, for their violent clampdown.

The protests began in mid-September when Amini died after being arrested by Irans morality police for allegedly violating the Islamic Republics strict dress code.

The protests mark one of the biggest challenges to Irans theocracy since the 1979 revolution.

Read the original:
Biden pays tribute to Iranian women at Nowruz celebration - The Associated Press

BRUSSELS, March 20 (Reuters) - The European Union on Monday imposed a new package of sanctions against Iran, its sixth, in response to human rights violations, adding eight individuals and one entity to its list.

"In particular, the Council is sanctioning members of the judiciary responsible for handing down death sentences in unfair trials, and for the torturing of convicts," the EU said in a statement.

In total, EU sanctions now apply to 204 individuals and 34 entities in Iran.

"We want to make clear that nobody is above the law, which is why we will impose a sixth package of sanctions here in Brussels," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had told reporters earlier in the day.

Britain for its part said it had sanctioned senior officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including those who it said were responsible for managing the group's financial investments.

Reporting by Sabine Siebold, Andrew Gray, Bart Meijer; Editing by Kevin Liffey

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

View original post here:
EU imposes further sanctions on Iran for human rights violations - Reuters