Exposing Iranian plot

AFTER over two decades, the Saudi intelligence forces captured the terrorist, Ahmed Al-Mughassil, wanted for masterminding the 1996 Alkhobar bombing.

The terrorist attack had shaken the Kingdom and the entire world. It was the second attack on the soil of the country, the first being the terrorist attack at Thirteen Street, Olyya in Riyadh in 1995.

The two terrorist groups, which targeted foreigners in the Kingdom, were working for the same goal and on the directions of the same force.

Without going into the details of terrorist attacks, we say there is a hidden link between the groups fighting each other publicly. There is a “hidden” hand behind these groups, which knows well when to pit these groups against each other and when to use them against a common target.

Iran not only harbors Al-Qaeda fugitives but it also offers medical attention to wounded Daesh fighters in its health facilities. It is no secret that Iran is playing a double game in the region. The Iranians are supporting Daesh in Iraq and backing Al-Qaeda in Yemen and assisting Houthi rebels. Interestingly, all the above-mentioned groups claim to be each other’s rivals.

On the other hand, Iran supports extremist elements in Qatif, including the one called Ahmed Al-Mughassil and his group. It provides logistic support to Daesh elements to carry out terrorist activities against Shiites and their mosques in the eastern parts of the Kingdom so as to stoke sectarian tensions. Iran has adopted the same approach in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

The arrest of Al-Mughassil is a major breakthrough in Kingdom’s efforts to thwart terrorist attacks and to nab anti-social extremist elements on the move in Saudi Arabia.

— By Mohamed Abdullah Al-Owain

Haikal’s lies

SOME people love gossiping about others. They tend to talk too much and criticize others without any basis in an attempt to harm others’ reputation and dignity.

There are various factors that cause development of such habits. People with such tendencies are usually ignorant and talk out of sheer arrogance to hide their ignorance. Old age and dementia, sometimes, add to this problem.

One could cite Mohamed Hasnain Haikal, his views and his writings as a perfect example of such a behavior. Haikal has been gossiping about regional and political issues since his youth. He is under the impression that he is some kind of an expert. However, having approached this advanced age, it would have been better for him to maintain his dignity and he should have avoided spreading his shameful lies in the garb of political analyses.

His support to Iran and its stooges in the Arab world is shameful. He has no qualms about lending intellectual support to the “Devil party,” which is responsible for the chaos in Lebanon and the killings of innocent people of Syria. Haikal’s gossips are part of his contradictory nature.

It is easy for people like Haikal to level accusations against leaders they dislike. Dignified people who are really educated always avoid such things and consider this approach a sin.

Haikal loves to distort history to support his viewpoint. He does not even hesitate in fabricating stories about his meetings with heads of state and other world dignitaries.

The biography of the man is also not consistent. During the era of Gamal Abdel Nasser, he was an Arab nationalist but today he has become a Persian Safavi. It is clear that “money” is the only master of Haikal and the driving force behind his corrupt judgments.

— By Salim bin Ahmed Sihab

Lessons learned from MERS

THE most important lessons learned from the outbreak of coronavirus and for that matter any other previously known diseases is that money alone cannot prove sufficient to deal with epidemics.

Honesty, transparency and dedication to work and realism in dealing with the disease as well as dependence on studies and research are, collectively, most important elements to deal with infectious diseases and epidemics.

In this context, we have many lessons, which should be reviewed and made use of. During the Gulf War, the world was faced with immense financial crisis and the Kingdom was no exception.

However, during those difficult times the Saudi Health Ministry successfully contained the spread of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in a short time. This was mainly due to the ministry’s openness and transparency in dealing with the situation. The then minister of health relied on studies and researches in shaping up his strategy to deal with disease. The ministry never hesitated in sharing figures with the officials and the masses.

In dealing with the bird flu, the Agriculture Ministry extended all-out cooperation to the Health Ministry to contain the virus.

Among lessons learned from coronavirus is that research is the backbone for tackling health-related problems. Issuing mere statements raising people’s expectations is not sufficient to deal with such crisis.

We have to listen to the scientists and not the “educated.” Nearly four years have passed since the appearance of the disease and we have been living under an illusion, accusing camels and, sometimes, low awareness of citizens for the spread of the disease.

— By Mohamed bin Sulaiman Al-Ihaidib

What awaits Saudi economy?

A report recently published in the British newspaper “the Guardian” ignited a hot debate in the financial sector across the world. The report highlighted the vulnerability of the Saudi economy to bankruptcy by 2018 in view of the difficult conditions caused by the continuous decline in oil prices.

According to the paper, the Kingdom did not respond to calls made by the global economic institutions on following austerity policy to face the future.

Despite the exaggerated report of the paper and its attempt to influence Saudi economic decisions, openness is needed to address local and foreign audience on the government’s plan to cope with falling oil prices and their impact on reform plans and how to deal with government subsidies.

Based on such reports and fall of local stock market in the last 10 days, Saudi financial and economic policymakers should talk with the public about these reports.

On the other hand, relying on state-owned enormous financial reserves is not reassuring in the medium term. Some SR205 billion was withdrawn from the reserves in the first five months of the current year and, accordingly, the reserves fell from SR2.75 trillion to SR2.54 trillion.

It is imperative for the policymakers to reassure local and global public opinion over challenges awaiting the economy. Some immediate remedies could be adopted such as imposing fees on white (vacant) lands and gradual lifting of fuel subsidies, which swallow SR195 billion of the budget annually or eight percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Moreover, the Kingdom is expected to launch an economic movement to contain any adverse effects that may cripple its growing economy, notably it is implementing mega developmental projects. The Kingdom may suspend some of its future strategic projects until full picture is clear on the economies of the world amid growing fears of global recession.

—By Khalid Al-Yami

Who is to blame for terrorism?

WE often ask ourselves what is the reason behind our youths’ inclination toward joining the ranks of terrorist groups. We sometimes blame family, school or some preachers who present a distorted concept of jihad to our youths. We often also blame unemployment for this trend.

Unfortunately, there is no study, which could come up with a concrete answer to the question: “Who is to be held responsible for terrorism?”

The study, if carried out, should not only deal with those involved in terrorism but also those youths who never engaged in any sort of terrorism and could provide searchers on clues that may lead to deviant thoughts.

In fact, we have heard words and advice from preachers, teachers or families calling for jihad, fighting and rejection of varying opinions. However, a question remains: Which of the above-mentioned sources have the greatest impact on us?

The answer to these questions will help us to know the source of evil in our life. The accusation is mostly leveled against the family because it is considered the first incubator for a terrorist person with distorted religious and social views.

We “throw” our sons into the community with its entire institutions including mosques, schools, workplaces, or friends but, as per our belief, the family has to bear the biggest share of responsibility toward sons.

Lastly, hope is pinned on our universities and research centers to study this phenomenon (terrorism) to identify its sources.

— By Hanan Hasan Atalla