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Al-Ahram Weekly
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Making America great again? - Focus - Al-Ahram Weekly
Al-Ahram Weekly reports on American responses to Trump administration policies after a two-week tour across the US from Washington DC to Sacramento in California Few figures in modern American history have stirred as much passion, controversy, and conversation as Donald Trump. From the moment he descended that golden escalator in 2015 to announce his first run for the White House, Trump has positioned himself not just as a political outsider, but as a disruptor-in-chief, vowing to drain the swamp, build the wall, and put 'America First'. His policies since then, whether slashing corporate taxes, withdrawing from global agreements, enforcing hardline immigration stances, or reshaping the US federal judiciary, have left an indelible mark on the nation. But what do Americans really think about those policies now? Are they seen as bold moves that have reasserted American strength, or reckless decisions that have deepened national divisions? The answers aren't as simple as party lines. Across red states and blue states, around kitchen tables and in online forums, Americans are still debating whether Trump's impact has been one of revival or regression. This article dives deep into the heart of that debate, unpacking how different communities, political affiliations, and generations across the US view the policies of the 45th and 47th president. Because behind every executive order and campaign promise lies a nation still grappling with what it meant, and what it still means, to live in the Trump era. For two weeks, starting on 19 April and ending on 3 May this year, the Distinguished International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) sponsored by the US Department of State hosted 21 participants from 21 countries across the world, including Egypt, for the Edward R. Murrow Programme for Journalists: Research and Investigation. The programme represented a paramount opportunity for a real engagement with US officials and opinion-makers in an unprecedented moment in US history under the second presidency of Trump. Since its inception in 1940, more than 230,000 international leaders have taken part in the IVLP including over 500 alumni that have become heads of state or government, 12 Nobel Laureates, including late Egyptian president Mohamed Anwar Al-Sadat, more than 1,600 cabinet ministers, more than 1,000 members of parliament, and numerous leaders in industry, science, and academia. IVLP participants are nominated by US embassies around the world. From Virginia to Washington DC and then from St Louis in Missouri to Sacramento in California, the Americans Al-Ahram Weekly interviewed during the tour expressed their rejection, resentment, and disappointment regarding the policies Trump has been adopting, mainly on refugees, regional and global wars, and the US economy. During this fortnight's programme, the Trump administration celebrated the president's 100 days in office, but one theme stood out among the Americans the Weekly spoke to — 'America won't be Great Again this way.' Almost all those the Weekly spoke to preferred to remain anonymous for fear of the blundering Trump administration, which has aimed at people in their workplaces. They asked to be unnamed or to be referred to by their initials. Starting in front of the White House in Washington DC, there were some protests against the administration to be seen, including a handful of people holding signs with photographs of Trump and Vice President J D Vance with the caption 'We the People Dissent'. 'I didn't vote for Trump, but I'm not seeing the change I hoped for with this new administration either. Prices are still high, the border's still a mess, and it feels like no one in Washington is really listening to us,' K M, a schoolteacher in Washington who participated in one of the protests, told the Weekly. 'I'm tired of empty promises from both sides. And these new tariffs? They're just making everything more expensive — groceries, tools, even stuff for my classroom. It's like we're paying the price for political games.' 'I work two jobs just to keep up, and it feels like every month I'm falling further behind. Gas, rent, groceries — everything's gone up, but my pay cheque hasn't. The politicians keep talking about 'strong economic numbers,' but I don't see it in my life. These policies might look good on paper, but they're not helping people like me,' J L, a receptionist from Virginia, told the Weekly during the protest. ANTI-TRUMP: While the Weekly was speaking to J L, a 17-year-old girl shouted 'haters' policies won't bring peace. Trump's policies represent a real shock to Americans. His policies are disastrous, and Make America Great Again is fake.' 'I did vote for Trump for a second term in the hope that he would act on his promise to end wars and boost the local economy amid the global challenges. But his policies are catastrophic to the US itself, to its relations with the world, and to the globe as a whole. Trump is more than a fascist,' L K, a student at a Californian university, told the Weekly. A 43-year-old American who preferred to be unnamed expressed his anger at the prices of commodities, especially since Trump had announced new tariffs. 'Prices are going up higher now. Yet, if these tariffs are applied in the way the president announced, we will experience a shortage of imported goods, mainly of what the US imports from countries with a high level of tariffs,' he said. While the US Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) decreased 0.1 per cent on a seasonally adjusted basis in March, after rising 0.2 per cent in February, it still increased by 2.4 per cent before seasonal adjustment over the last 12 months, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics in April. Inflation eased on both sides of the Atlantic in March, largely due to declining energy costs, supported by falling gas and oil prices in the first quarter of 2025. In the US, however, inflation remains a concern, according to a report by the French bank BNP Paribas published at the end of April. Household inflation expectations have reached their highest level in over three decades, according to the University of Michigan, at 6.7 per cent a year in April (the highest since 1981), and 4.5 per cent for the long term (the highest since 1991). The report also highlighted that supply-side price pressures are at their highest since October 2023. The US Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged last week, defying renewed pressure from Trump to lower borrowing costs. It kept the federal funds rate at 4.25 per cent to 4.5 per cent, a range it has not adjusted since December. The decision comes amid growing concern over the economic fallout from Trump's trade policies. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged rising risks to both inflation and employment, although he noted that the actual impact of Trump's tariffs has yet to show up in hard data. 'We've judged that the risk to higher inflation and unemployment has risen,' Powell said, citing weakened business and consumer sentiment in the US. But he emphasised the Fed's cautious stance, saying that 'we can't say which way this will shake out.' The Fed's dual mandate, to maintain stable inflation and a strong labour market, could come under stress if Trump's tariffs lead to simultaneous spikes in prices and joblessness. Powell admitted that such a scenario would force the Fed into difficult decisions, weighing which side of the economy is in greater need of intervention. 'This would be a complicated and challenging judgment we would have to make,' he said, pointing to the possibility of stagflation — a mix of weak growth and high inflation — feared by markets following his press conference. Despite political pressure, the Fed gave no sign it plans to cut rates anytime soon. Trump has repeatedly lashed out at the Fed, most recently calling it 'too late and wrong' on social media for not cutting rates sooner. VISITS: During a visit to George Mason University in Virginia, the Weekly had a chance to talk to Mark J Rozel, founding dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government and Ruth D. and John T. Hazel Chair in Public Policy. 'The decline in Trump's public approval ratings is driven substantially by his tariffs policies. Numerous opinion polls show strong disapproval of these policies, with most of the public believing that the president's tariff actions are harming the economy and driving up consumer prices,' Rozel said. 'As the more severe economic impacts of the tariffs occur over time, it is likely that public opinion will turn even more negative towards the president.' 'Trump was elected largely because the public believed he would be a stronger leader of the economy, and he promised to bring down inflation. But the tariffs will cause prices continually to escalate, undercutting the major foundation of his public support. The president right now is asking the public to be patient and endure some short-term pain. Americans tend not to have so much patience when they feel the direct impacts of higher prices,' Rozell said in answering a question about why so many people across the US had voted for Trump. Sacramento in California was the next of the programme's stops. California has voted for Democratic candidates in every presidential election since 1992. This fairly pictures how the people of the state see the current Republican administration's policies, including the rising role billionaire businessman Elon Musk is playing in the government. 'Trump's policies don't surprise us. This is the mentality of such a man. The role he is playing in the Israeli war on Gaza is horrible. As American people, we totally refuse what is happening in Gaza, specifically starving people and targeting civilians,' a student at California State University in Sacramento who studies political science told the Weekly. The student preferred for his name to be withheld but also criticised Musk's role in the Trump administration. 'We really don't know what exactly Musk's role in the government is. But, with Trump's mentality, this is expected. Trump came to office as a result of the marriage of power and money.' 'It's unsettling how much sway one billionaire like Elon Musk seems to have over national policy, from space contracts to energy decisions to shaping online discourse. We didn't elect him, yet his opinions ripple through Washington like he's part of the cabinet,' a university student told the Weekly. His classmate, M J, agreed and added that 'speaking of tariffs, we believe that these will not benefit the American people, as Trump always says they will. They will drive prices higher, not for now, but over the medium and longer terms. We still have not felt the impact of such a policy locally, but it will be reflected next year unless this man put the brakes on his uninformed decisions,' he said. Local media in the US has reported that within his first 100 days in office Trump issued 143 executive orders, more than any previous president during the same period, alongside 42 proclamations, 42 memorandums, the Laken Riley Act, a continuing appropriations act, and additional legislation submitted to Congress. His prolific use of executive authority has received a mixed response from both Republicans and Democrats. Some of the orders have pushed the boundaries of presidential power and been met with swift legal opposition. The key areas of focus include immigration reform, deportation policy, the imposition of tariffs on foreign nations, reductions in federal spending and workforce, expansion of executive power, and the pursuit of a non-interventionist approach to foreign affairs. 'The New York Times/Siena polls [21-24 April] show that Americans are increasingly wary of Trump's policies, with 66 per cent of those surveyed saying his second term as president is 'chaotic' and 59 per cent saying it is 'scary'. Fifty-five per cent of voters oppose his tariffs, according to this poll. A majority, 54 per cent, support limits on presidential power,' journalism professor at California State University in Sacramento Molly Dugan told the Weekly. 'We must be careful not to place too much emphasis on polls. Most polls predicted a victory for Hillary Clinton in [the US presidential elections in] 2016 and a much tighter race in 2024, and there's some criticism that they overestimate support for Democratic candidates and causes generally. However, if you look at legitimate polls — those that perform due diligence to seek the most accurate results and are not partisan — most show the same general trajectory — that many Americans are nervous about tariffs,' Dugan said. Gallup, one of the most reliable polling companies in the US, found that the majority of Americans have, at minimum, short-term concerns about tariffs and their effects on prices. 'I am concerned about public-spending cuts and resulting job losses. While I am not an expert on the nature and effects of public spending broadly, as a university professor and a recipient of federal grants (Fulbright and US State Department Professional Fellows Programme), these cuts could have a negative effect on many education programmes,' Dugan added. The Weekly asked her to what extent these policies could impact both people in the US and in the wider world. Dugan said it was difficult to predict. In many cases, the US courts will determine if some of Trump's policies are implemented, she said. 'Congress makes appropriations and levies taxes. The Republican Congressional majority means that the budget, which passed in April, contained a lot of Trump's agenda, but we can certainly expect judicial review of many proposals. Historically, midterm elections favour the opposition party. We may see the Democrats regain the House or Senate in 2026, which could have a chilling effect on the extreme nature of the proposed cuts,' she added. As Trump's second term unfolds, one thing is clear: the gap between policy and public sentiment has rarely been so wide. From coast to coast, Americans are speaking out — not just through polls and protests, but through lived experiences marked by economic anxiety, political fatigue, and growing unease about unchecked executive power. Promises of strength, security, and prosperity are colliding with the realities of inflation, isolation, and instability. Whether it's the soaring cost of living, the shadowy influence of figures like Musk, or the fallout from sweeping tariffs and spending cuts, many Americans feel they are paying the price for a presidency driven more by force than foresight. And while Trump may still command a loyal base, the voices rising across classrooms, city squares, and campuses across the nation suggest a different truth: that a significant part of America sees his leadership not as a path forward but as a warning. * A version of this article appears in print in the 22 May, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Breaking records - Sports - Al-Ahram Weekly
FOURTEEN-year-old sensation Farida Khalil of Egypt continued to redefine the modern pentathlon at the 2025 World Cup in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria, setting two new world records on the way to gold in the women's final. Khalil was in irresistible form after winning gold and silver in the first two Pentathlon World Cups of the season, and she held off the challenge of Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Seungmin Seong of South Korea to cross the line 19sec ahead of her nearest rival. A new obstacle world record of 27.70sec was key to her success and the posting of an overall world record of 1,485 points, nine more than Michelle Gulyas of Hungary managed two weeks ago in the Pentathlon World Cup in Budapest. And there was more good news for the Egyptian team as Malak Ismail claimed bronze and her first medal of 2025. France finished with two athletes on the extended podium after an exceptional laser run by Rebecca Castaudi, with Emma Whitaker of Great Britain sandwiched between her and sixth-placed Louison Cazaly. * A version of this article appears in print in the 15 May, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
African books come to Paris - Culture - Al-Ahram Weekly
The crowds turned out in force this year for the Paris African Book Fair, where Cameroon and African Brazil were the guests of honour. Now on its fourth edition, but held in a new location, the Paris African Book Fair has established itself as an unmissable event on the French literary calendar and one of the only opportunities that many people in France may have to learn about publications in French produced across the African continent and the Africa lists of French publishers. Held in its new location of the Halle des Blancs Manteaux in the French capital's 4th district over three days from 15 to 16 March, the Book Fair this year may have benefitted from its new and prestigious venue. Previously it was held in the bland surroundings of the nearby town hall of the same district, but this year it moved to the heart of the historic Marais, an area famous for its winding mediaeval streets, art galleries, and high-end boutiques. The crowds at the Fair this year may well have been increased by passing shoppers eager to experience a part of the city left untouched by rebuilding. They may also have been attracted by the Halle des Blancs Manteaux itself, a 19th-century structure originally built to host clothing markets rather like the better-known Carreau du Temple nearby, an early iron and glass structure now renovated and used to host fashion shows and other similar events. The Halle des Blancs Manteaux, the Carreau du Temple, and the whole of the Marais district are important parts of the French capital's history and its present built environment, and it is always a pleasure to look inside these buildings and explore the area of which they are a part. Arriving at the Book Fair on its third and final day, the Al-Ahram Weekly found the crowds already very much in evidence, with people milling around in the Halle des Blancs Manteaux to inspect the stands of the African and French publishers present and queueing up near the stairs taking visitors to a mezzanine level where space had been found for a programme of discussions and meetings. These discussions, very well-attended, covered an impressive range of subjects, with some related directly to the countries that were guests of honour at the Fair this year and others broaching more general topics related to publishing books in francophone Africa. The programme saw sessions on the 'promotion of books in Cameroon' and 'the distribution of books in Cameroon in the digital age' on the first day of the Fair, for example, as well as others on more general subjects. Some of these will doubtless have spoken directly to many attendees at the Fair, such as those on 'Senegalese letters in the Diaspora,' moderated by the Senegalese winner of the prestigious Prix Goncourt for fiction in 2021, Mohamed Mbougar Sarr, the 'Diasporas and the renovation of Pan-Africanism,' and several sessions on 'Francafrique,' shorthand for the legacies of French colonialism in Africa and present-day struggles for restitution and recognition. French publishers with significant African lists were present at the Fair, along with smaller ones specialising in African history, literature, and politics. The major French publisher Gallimard had sent along books from its prestigious Continents Noirs series of writing by francophone Sub-Saharan African writers, for example, along with piles of other books from its other imprints written by or about African writers. Continents Noirs, set up by editorial director Antoine Gallimard in 2000, now hosts work by some 50 contemporary Sub-Saharan African writers writing in French and is designed to introduce the wider French-speaking public to 'African, Afro-European, and Diaspora literature and its authors.' This is the imprint's 25th anniversary year, and if the Gallimard stand at the African Book Fair is anything to go by, it is going from strength to strength, with the immediately recognisable tan covers of the Continents Noirs series providing hospitable livery for African writers eager to break into the mainstream French market. While Gallimard was the only major mainstream French publisher present, well-known specialised ones were out in force, with Présence africaine, Karthala, and l'Harmattan all sending extensive stands. All three of these publishers, well-known to anyone reading about African affairs or the developing world in French, have extensive lists on Sub-Saharan Africa and have long played an important role in introducing works on or by African writers to French-speaking readers and, probably just as importantly, keeping them in print. Présence africaine had bagged a prominent location for its stand at this year's Fair, acting as a kind of focal point for people entering the building. Originally set up as a magazine by the Senegalese writer Alioune Diop in 1947 and intended to publish the works of the first generations of francophone African writers along with works on the history, politics, and sociology of African and African Diaspora societies, the review became a publishing house in 1949 with the support of some of the period's most important French, African, and Caribbean and Diaspora intellectuals. These included the Martinican writer Aimé Césaire, the Senegalese poet and future President Léopold Sédar Senghor, the Americans Richard Wright and James Baldwin, and the French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre. Looking through Présence africaine's books today, one finds classics by Senegalese writer Cheikh Anta Diop on Sub-Saharan African history, along with translated works by former Ghanian President and theorist of pan-Africanism Kwame Nkrumah and historian of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans Eric Williams. Mohamed Mbougar Sarr was on hand to sign copies of his books at Présence africaine on the second day of the Fair, among them his Goncourt Prize-winning La plus secrète mémoire des hommes published by Livre de Poche. Sub-Saharan and North Africa: While the Fair does not focus on the Arab countries in which French is spoken as a second language, such as the Arab Maghreb countries and Syria and Lebanon, it does not ignore them either. The Arab Maghreb countries of Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria make up the whole of West Africa north of the Sahara, and so even though the African Book Fair is mostly about the Sub-Saharan African publishing scene, this year's event like earlier ones saw important contributions from francophone Maghreb publishers. Francophone publisher Casbah Editions was in evidence from Algeria, and on the day the Weekly visited was organising two signing sessions by its authors, Ahmed Hanafi of his novel Traversées périlleuses du miroir and Meryem Belkaid of her novel Ecris, et je viendrai. Francophone Algerian publisher Editions Frantz Fanon, named after the Martinican psychologist Frantz Fanon who played a significant role in the Algerian War of Independence against France, also had a stand at the Fair. Among the books it was displaying was Algerian author Hedia Bensahli's L'Algérie juive, a history of the Jewish communities that until the middle of the last century or so used to live in Algeria. There were various smaller publishers from Morocco, though none, unfortunately, from Tunisia. French publishers Karthala and l'Harmattan had sent along extensive stands, with both these publishers putting out dozens of books on Africa and by African writers each year in literature, history, and politics. Both had organised signing sessions for several of their authors on the day the Weekly visited. As is so often the case with events of this sort, so extensive was the Book Fair's programme of meetings and discussions that it was not possible to attend more than a handful of those on offer. Several events caught the eye on the second day of the Fair, for example, among them a discussion with Jean Khalfa, co-editor of Frantz Fanon, écrits sur l'aliénation et la liberté, a collection of Fanon's hitherto uncollected writings which when it appeared in 2018 was hailed as nothing less than a publishing event. There were also discussions with former French Minister of Equal Opportunities Azouz Begag on relations between France and Algeria and between Administrator of the Chair of African Arts and Literatures at the Académie royale du Maroc Eugène Ebodé and Professor at the Université Mohamed VI in Morocco Raphael Liogier on African politics on the same day, together with the award of this year's Grand Prix Afrique. This was awarded to Cameroonian novelist Hemley Boum for her novel Le Rêve de pecheur, which examines the relationship between post-colonial Cameroon and contemporary France through the memories of individuals from three different generations. Boum was one of the speakers at a discussion attended by the Weekly on the 'founders and foundations of Cameroonian literature' that also saw contributions from Eugène Ebodé, this time by virtue of his recent novel Zam Zam, Gaston Paul Effa, author of L'enfant que tu as été marche à côté de toi, Romauld Fonkua, author of Poésie des francophones, états des lieux, and Boniface Mongo M'Boussa, author of Désir d'Afrique. Boum spoke interestingly about the role played by the founders of modern Cameroonian literature, notably the novelist Mongo Beti (1932-2001), recognised as one of the most important francophone African writers of the independence generation. Beti had helped to create a common Cameroonian identity, Boum said, uniting the country around perceptions of a common history and a common struggle, and for this reason alone it was no surprise to find his works being taught to the younger generations in Cameroonian schools. Beti, like his contemporary Ferdinand Oyono (1929-2010), had been able to build Cameroonian identity through fiction and particularly through autobiography, allowing his story to stand in for those of others when trying to capture the historical experience of the country. His early novel Ville cruelle, written when he was in his early twenties, captures his childhood, school, and village and the contrast between village life and life in the city in a way that 'for the first time gave me the impression that something had been written about my country from within,' Boum said. For Gaston Paul Effa, describing how he came to write fiction, it was important to recognise the contributions of the founding generation, as well as to reconnect with the heritage of older generations in later years. Born in Cameroon, it was only when he moved to Strasbourg in France at the age of 16 that he really discovered the country, he said, later returning for a decade to explore its traditions as a way of 'returning to things that we have forgotten.' A final session attended by the Weekly at this year's Fair was on 'artistic resistance' and saw contributions from Carine Bahanag, author of Danser au féminin en Afrique, Angelo Dan, Ambassador of the West African country of Benin in France and author of La restitution de biens culturels entre la France et le Bénin, and Veronique Kanor, an activist and poet. Bahanag spoke interestingly about the research she had done for her book on the tradition of women's dancing in Cameroon, which despite the role it plays in building female solidarity has apparently only been researched and written about by men. Dan spoke about his role in the negotiations for the return of material looted from Benin during the French colonial period in 2021, a process described in his book on the subject, and Kanor spoke about her work as a poet and activist, designed to draw attention to the injustices suffered by African women immigrants in France. * A version of this article appears in print in the 15 May, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
14-05-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Paradoxes of Trump's visit - World - Al-Ahram Weekly
The US president's visit to the Middle East this week may project the image of a region open for business, but it could be the calm before the storm. At the heart of US President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East lies an unsettling contradiction. On the one hand, he is arriving with a formidable economic delegation, prominent business leaders in tow, to broker trade agreements, secure investments, and deepen cooperation in critical sectors like artificial intelligence and defence. On the surface, it is a mission of economic promise and strategic alignment, a vision of progress and mutual gain. Yet, on the other hand, the ruthless war on Gaza continues with no hope of a possible ceasefire or humanitarian aid to reach the starving Palestinians. The dissonance is impossible to ignore. In Tehran, the optics of the visit have not gone unnoticed. For Iranian officials, the spectacle is both striking and revealing, as it lays bare the limits of Trump's influence over Netanyahu. Had he had the power, Trump might have preferred to arrive with at least a temporary truce in hand, perhaps accompanied by a carefully staged humanitarian gesture. His inability to do so suggests either a startling lack of leverage or a deliberate choice not to wield it. Ambiguity lingers at the core of the US position, some might argue by design. While Trump hinted that a cessation of violence was within reach, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee simultaneously reaffirmed unwavering support for Israel's hardline stance. The result is a dual narrative: one aimed at placating Arab partners with the illusion of American mediation, the other reassuring Tel Aviv of Washington's unconditional allegiance to its security imperatives. In the days preceding Trump's arrival in the region, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi embarked on a diplomatic tour and meetings with officials in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. A senior reformist figure within Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's inner circle told Al-Ahram Weekly that during these discussions Araghchi had shared key updates on the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Washington in talks facilitated by Oman. Araghchi assured his Gulf counterparts that Tehran was engaging in the dialogue with sincerity, seeking not only to revive the nuclear accord and secure sanctions relief but also to ease regional tensions. Yet, he made it clear that Iran's concessions had limits. 'We will not compromise at any price,' he emphasised. Tehran, he insisted, maintains its right to enrich uranium on its own soil under the watchful eye of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), dismissing US demands to cease domestic enrichment as both non-negotiable and a violation of Iran's internationally recognised rights. According to the Iranian official, Riyadh and Doha responded with cautious optimism to these views, expressing the hope that an agreement between Washington and Tehran could indeed be reached and one that might finally temper long-standing hostilities. Iran has been deepening its coordination with regional actors to ease tensions and contain Israel's escalating aggression. From Yemen to Iraq and Lebanon, Tehran has engaged in discreet diplomacy, urging restraint among its allies in a strategy that appears to be yielding quiet but tangible results. Just days ago, in an unexpected shift Trump announced that Houthi forces in Yemen would cease their attacks on American vessels in the Red Sea, with the US reciprocating by halting its strikes on Yemen. The move was met with approval across the region, where leaders have long emphasised the imperative of safeguarding international trade and maritime security. Meanwhile, in Lebanon, Hizbullah has steadfastly refused to escalate hostilities despite persistent Israeli provocations. Similarly, in Iraq Tehran's allies have upheld their commitment to avoid targeting US bases and to halt missile and drone launches towards Israel. Taken together, these developments send a clear signal: Iran is positioning itself not as a disruptor, but as a force for regional stability. They also underscore a broader truth – that Washington's attempts to partition the Middle East into rival blocs, pitting a so-called 'moderate axis' against an 'Iranian axis,' are ultimately unsustainable. 'True equilibrium in the region cannot be engineered through division. It requires engagement and pragmatism,' the Iranian official argued. CRUCIAL TEST: Trump's visit to the region will serve as a crucial test for these delicate geopolitical equations. While the trip is expected to yield significant agreements spanning real-estate investments, energy partnerships, semiconductor collaborations, artificial intelligence ventures, and enhanced military cooperation, one of the most sensitive items on the agenda remains Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear aspirations. At the heart of this diplomatic tightrope walk lies Riyadh's persistent request for US cooperation in establishing a domestic nuclear programme complete with uranium enrichment capabilities under IAEA supervision. This proposition has predictably drawn Israeli objections, with Israeli officials insisting such discussions be contingent upon normalisation between the two states. Israel maintains particular reservations about permitting uranium enrichment on Saudi soil, even with international oversight. The Saudi position remains unequivocal: Riyadh views its nuclear ambitions as entirely separate from any normalisation process with Israel, which it maintains can only occur within the context of a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians including a two-state solution. This diplomatic standoff presents the Trump administration with a formidable challenge in balancing these competing interests. Tehran will be watching the talks in Riyadh with particular interest. Iranian sources have indicated that any US approval of Saudi enrichment activities would fundamentally undermine Washington's objections to Iran's own nuclear programme. Iran has expressed its willingness to return to the modest 3.5 per cent enrichment levels established under the 2015 Obama-era agreement – a clear effort to demonstrate its peaceful intentions, as such low-grade enrichment falls far short of weapons-grade requirements. Araghchi announced that the fourth round of nuclear talks with Washington had been 'more serious and detailed' than previous rounds, a sentiment echoed by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi, who praised the inclusion of 'constructive and innovative proposals' in the talks. Speaking to Iranian state television, Araghchi struck a cautiously optimistic note, confirming that the discussions are progressing with a mutual commitment to continue the dialogue. 'There is now a clearer understanding between the two sides,' he observed, while firmly reiterating Tehran's red line that 'our right to uranium enrichment remains non-negotiable.' However, he signalled flexibility on technical aspects, noting that 'while the principle of enrichment is inviolable, the scope and levels can be addressed.' Looking ahead, Araghchi anticipated the next round of talks to convene within a week, though he urged Washington to avoid 'contradictory statements that could undermine the negotiation process.' At the heart of Iran's position, he emphasised, remains the lifting of sanctions, an objective he described as 'a shared priority recognised by both parties.' Al-Busaidi, whose country has played a pivotal mediating role, reinforced this measured optimism. He highlighted the introduction of 'practical and forward-looking ideas' during the discussions, reflecting what he called 'a mutual commitment to achieving a dignified agreement.' He added that the fifth round would follow further consultations with the respective leaderships, suggesting careful deliberation before the next diplomatic engagement. The remarks from both officials point to a potential thaw in the protracted standoff, though the path forward remains delicately balanced. NO BREAKTHROUGH: It is increasingly evident that Trump's regional tour will not yield a breakthrough in the catastrophic crisis unfolding in Gaza. Even the prospect of a brief humanitarian pause, such as a temporary truce of a few days to facilitate the delivery of aid during his visit, was rejected by Israel, which sees no strategic benefit in such a move. As a result, the only potential diplomatic achievement that can be salvaged from the visit lies in broader regional de-escalation: talks with Tehran, tentative understandings on a ceasefire with the Houthis, and assurances regarding the security of navigation in the Red Sea. These may be presented as modest victories, offering face-saving optics for all parties involved. Yet the underlying reality remains one of extreme volatility. Fears persist that once Trump departs, Israel will intensify its military operations in Gaza, advancing a deeply alarming plan to corral nearly two million Palestinians into four heavily monitored 'security zones' in the southern part of the Strip. Under this scheme, US firms would be tasked with distributing humanitarian aid within these designated areas – zones portrayed by Israel as 'safe,' but essentially designed to isolate civilians while enabling the continued pursuit of Hamas fighters. The plan is cloaked in ambiguity, and crucial questions remain unanswered: how will the mass transfer of civilians, many of them sick, wounded, the elderly, or children, from the north to the south of the Strip be conducted? How will combatants be distinguished from non-combatants? When will aid reach those who need it, especially as starvation claims lives each day? Is the plan truly about neutralising Hamas, or does it serve as a prelude to large-scale forced displacement? And, if so, does this mark the effective collapse of ceasefire and truce negotiations? With so much uncertainty and no clarity of vision, Trump's visit risks being reduced to a commercial and economic one and an exercise in symbolic diplomacy that fails to confront the gravity of the political and security crises engulfing the region. Such a vacuum could unravel the fragile understandings that have been recently brokered. If Israel persists or escalates its operations in Gaza, the Houthis are likely to resume their attacks, jeopardising any ceasefire arrangements with the Trump administration. Meanwhile, the already tenuous nuclear negotiations with Iran could suffer a serious setback. Within both the Trump administration and the Israeli government, where figures such as Netanyahu and his Defence Minister Israel Katz lead a hardline faction, there are hawks eager to see the nuclear talks fail, viewing this as a pretext for a potential military strike on Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Tehran fully grasps the delicacy of the current moment and the broader geopolitical fragility unfolding amid what many see as acts of genocide against the Palestinian people. In this volatile environment, confidence in the Trump administration is scarce. Its positions shift with the winds, further deepening mistrust and uncertainty in a region already on the brink. * A version of this article appears in print in the 15 May, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Differentiating identities - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
The government is studying adding the names of mothers to national ID cards to help thwart name duplication. The announcement by Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli made during the weekly cabinet press conference last week stirred heated public debate on social media platforms. Opinions were divided between those who believe the step is unnecessary since the data of citizens is already stored in the barcode printed on the ID card and others who thought the idea potentially helpful in facilitating verification and authentication. Madbouli confirmed that a mother's name is already included on the national ID card through the barcode on the back of the card. 'As for writing the name explicitly on the card like that of the father, it will be taken into consideration, and we will explore the possibility of implementing it with the relevant authorities,' Madbouli said. MP Salma Murad submitted an official proposal to the prime minister and the ministers of justice and interior to add a mother's name to the national ID card. Murad noted that name duplication causes numerous problems for citizens, including legal complications due to identical names, as often seen in cases related to social insurance or the enforcement of judicial rulings. Murad told Al-Ahram Weekly that studies have shown that including the mother's name in social insurance data helps reduce duplication. France has conducted several research studies confirming the effectiveness of the approach, she pointed out, adding that name similarities can lead to other issues such as the wrongful arrest of individuals or travel bans due to mistaken identity with individuals wanted on criminal charges. According to an employee at the Civil Status Authority who preferred to remain anonymous, the mother's name is already registered in the data included on the barcode placed on the ID, so there is no need to write it. 'Any problem like name duplication will end as soon as the ID is scanned by the authorities concerned and the mother's name is verified,' he added. Abeer Hamdi, a school teacher, supported the idea, calling for its swift approval and implementation. 'This should have happened a long time ago. If I am with my children somewhere, how can I not have something that proves they're my children if the need arises?' Lawyer Mahmoud Abul-Naga said he believed adding the mother's name on the ID card will not eliminate the issue of name duplication. 'Adding the mother's name to the national ID card will not add any new information about the person as it is already there in the ID's barcode. It will just facilitate the process but will not help in solving the problem,' Abul-Naga said, suggesting including a phone number or email instead. Disclosing a mother's name is not common practice in Egypt. Men in particular prefer not to mention their mother's name in public, concerned that it becomes a subject of shame or ridicule. In 2015, UN Women launched an initiative called 'Give Mom Back Her Name' to eradicate the taboo and give mothers in Egypt and the rest of the Middle East their names back in public fora. * A version of this article appears in print in the 17 April, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
