News and Analysis (9/1/20)

“The artist … is set to be prosecuted by the State Security Court on charges of “offending an Arab country”. Many have speculated the Arab country in question is the UAE, after Hajjaj made satirical drawings of the normalisation agreement”:

• Jordanians Launch Solidarity Campaign with Prince Ali and Cartoonist Emad Hajjaj over UAE Criticism (New Arab)

An astrophysicist, an author and two musicians are among the latest victims of Israel’s war on Palestinian culture:

• From Science to Classical Music, Israel Clamps Down on Palestinian Culture (972 Magazine)

A “common  sense precaution [from] the top court” disallowing “Muharram processions anywhere in the country on the ground that this may lead to the blaming of a particular community” has been enforced by the authorities “with brutal energy”:

• In Guise of COVID War, It’s Unbridled Hate in Kashmir (Deccan Chronicle)

“Both Israel and the UAE have wanted normalization for a long time. … No serious Israeli opposition exists. Public opposition in the UAE, if it exists, is sufficiently suppressed as to appear non-existent. And Palestinian opposition is irrelevant”:

• The U.S.-brokered Pact Makes No Pretense of Peace for Palestinians. Instead, It Sharpens a Regional Coalition Against Iran (Foreign Policy in Focus)

Biden’s foreign policy pledges “aren’t just platitudes.. They signal a reversion to the post‐​Cold War view that America can and should be everywhere and solve every problem”:

• Biden Wants to Return to a ‘Normal’ Foreign Policy. That’s the Problem (CATO Institute)

“If by the bridge, you mean that we will allow them to bring their voices and propagate it [in  Srinagar], that is not a bridge. If by the bridge you mean that you will allow us to take the voices of J&K and Ladakh and propagate it [in New Delhi], it is fine”:

• In Kashmir, Different Political Ideologies Have Been Set Aside for a Larger Goal: Omar Abdullah (Hindustan Times)

Roohi Sultana sits on the floor with her students using “the play-way method. The kids really get involved in this process of learning. I am merely a facilitator, but it fills my heart with joy to see their creativity take shape through the teaching”:

• Kashmir Teacher, Who Uses Scrap Material to Educate Poor Kids, Selected for National Award (The Print)

As Iran cooperates with the IAEA, “Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia are attempting to save the 2015 accord, leaving the US isolated”:

• Iran Nuclear Deal Parties Set to Meet in Vienna amid US Pressure (Aljazeera)

A break in the clouds?

• Hamas and Israel Agree End to Cross-border Bombing in Gaza (The Guardian)
• Israel Must Immediately Allow Entry of Fuel and Other Essential Items into Gaza; Hamas Must end Actions Risking Further Destabilization – Statement by Humanitarian Coordinator Jamie McGoldrick (United Nations)

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