Family members barred from owning companies BEIJING—Spouses and chil- people’s congresses at all levdren of senior government officials in Shanghai have been prohibited from setting up companies in the city. The move - the latest salvo in the campaign against corruption - is aimed at eradicating nepotism. Under a new regulation that took effect on Friday, spouses of officials at city level are not allowed to register companies. Their children and their “children-in-law” are also barred from registering companies in Shanghai. The regulation was issued by the Party committee in Shanghai and the municipal government. All Party organs,
els, government organizations, judicial bodies and other Staterun departments in the city have been warned to follow the regulation strictly. Spouses of deputy secretaries on the city Party committee and in the city government, of officials at bureau level and of officials in charge of Staterun entities are also banned from setting up firms. Their children and their children-in-law are not allowed to set up firms in the city with business relating to the sector where the officials serve or which may conflict with the public interest.—CD
U.N. invites Syria opposition fighters to Geneva talks
TRIPOLI—To underscore the sition of the OIC in support of
finding a peaceful resolution to the Libyan crisis through inclusive national dialogue to ensure unity of Libya’s territory and peoples and end the plight of the Libyan people. The OIC General Secretariat delegation also held meetings with Dr. Hasan Sagir, undersecretary of the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the chairman and members of the constitution drafting committee, delegation of notables for the Jabal Akhdar tribes and representatives civil society from the eastern region of Libya.— Email
Xi urges Red Cross China to reform B EIJING —President
Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) to promote reform and innovation and give sincere care to people in need. Xi made the remarks when meeting with representatives at the 10th general congress of the RCSC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Hailing the RCSC as a bond linking the public with the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the government in the humanitarian field, Xi said the organization’s role was highly valued. He said that the humanitarian organization, founded in 1904, had played an important role in disaster rescue and relief, safeguarding people’s
health and promoting peace and progress of mankind. The president urged Party committees and governments at all levels to give more support to RCSC missions and help the organization tackle challenges that have emerged in its development. With support from the Party and government, and encouraged by the public, the RCSC will open a new chapter, according to Xi. Top CPC and state leaders Li Keqiang and Liu Yunshan also attended the meeting. Addressing the opening ceremony of the congress, vice Premier Liu Yandong urged the RCSC to be efficient and transparent in management so as to enhance its credibility.—Xinhua
CAR armed groups to free thousands of child soldiers BANGUI , CAR —Leaders of armed groups in strife-ravaged Central African Republic (CAR) agreed Tuesday to release thousands of child soldiers and to end underage recruitment, UNICEF said. The United Nations children’s agency described the news as a “major step forward” in the country, where it estimates 6,000 to 10,000 children to be held by various armed factions. “The Central African Republic is one of the worst places in the world to be a child, and UNICEF is ea-
ger to work with local authorities to help reunite these children with their families,” UNICEF representative Mohamed Malick Fall said in a statement. The children involved includes those serving as combatants, those used for sexual purposes and those working in roles such as cooks and messengers. The agreement to release them was signed this week during a reconciliation forum in the capital Bangui, backed by UNICEF and its partners with the aim of restoring peace.—AFP
Rebel fighters from the First Regiment part of the Free Syrian Army hold log as they participate in a military training in the western countryside of Aleppo.
GENEVA —U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura has invited the leaders of opposition armed factions to consultations that he launched in Geneva on Tuesday, he told a news conference. “A category of commanders has been invited, and I will not go beyond that,” he said.
He also said the rise of the Islamic State militant group had changed the facts on the ground since the signing of the Geneva Communiqué at an international conference three years ago, and suggested the communique be reviewed to reflect that.—Reuters
IS claims responsibility for Texas cartoon attack In October, Canada was CAIRO —The Islamic State side the contest center featur- read on the Al Bayan radio — group claimed responsibility on ing cartoons of the Muslim a station based in the Syrian hit by two terror attacks by city of Raqqa, which the group so-called “lone wolves” beTuesday for a weekend attack Prophet Muhammad. According to mainstream has proclaimed the capital of its lieved to have been inspired at a center near Dallas, Texas, that was exhibiting cartoon depictions of the Prophet Muhammad — though it offered no evidence of a direct link to the attackers. An audio statement on the extremist group’s Al Bayan radio station said that “two soldiers of the caliphate” carried out Sunday’s attack and promised the group would deliver more attacks in the future. The Islamic State did not provide details and it was unclear whether the group was opportunistically claiming the attack as its own. It was the first time the IS, which frequently calls for attacks against the West, had claimed responsibility for one in the United States. Two suspects in Sunday’s attack in the Dallas suburb of Garland were shot dead after opening fire at a security guard outside the center. It was also unclear from the An FBI crime scene investigator documents evidence outside the Curtis Culwell Center in statement whether the group, Garland, Texas. which has captured large by the Islamic State group. swaths of territory in Syria and Islamic tradition, any physical self-styled caliphate. “We tell ... America that In Ottawa, a gunman shot Iraq, had an actual hand in the depiction of the Prophet operation, or whether the two Muhammad and others proph- what is coming will be more and killed a soldier at suspects had pledged alle- ets, including Jesus and Moses grievous and more bitter and Canada’s National War Megiance to the group and then — even a respectful one — is you will see from the soldiers morial and then stormed Parcarried out the attack on their considered blasphemous. Draw- of the Caliphate what will harm liament before being gunned ings similar to those featured at you, God willing,” it said. down. Two days earlier, a own. There have been numerous man ran over two soldiers in The suspects have been the Texas event have sparked attack in Western countries be- a parking lot in Quebec, killidentified by officials as Elton violence around the world. The authenticity of the IS lieved related in some way to ing one and injuring the other Simpson and Nadir Soofi. They opened fire in on an unarmed statement could not be indepen- the group, which holds roughly before being shot to death by police.—AP security officer stationed out- dently confirmed but it was a third of Iraq and Syria.
Putin Manages Russia Like a Family Business MAXIM MIRONOV
O
VER the last two years, observers have increasingly compared the regime of President Vladimir Putin with that of former Soviet leader Josef Stalin. Every new crackdown on the opposition draws warnings of a “new 1937.” However, the comparison between the two regimes is inaccurate both in terms of the scale and the very nature of the repression in each. Under Stalin, repression was an integral part of economic motivation, somewhat similar to the motivation in modern investment banking. How did the Stalinist system motivate people? The vast majority of workers, and especially those in agriculture, lived in squalid conditions. But anyone who managed to earn special mention in that system, experienced dramatic improvements in their lives. The acme of career success in that system was achieving the title of “Stakhanovite” — a worker who surpasses all production requirements. Their photograph appeared in the newspaper, and in place of hard physical labor, they traveled around the country on trains delivering inspirational speeches to other laborers. The authorities also afforded them the extremely rare privileges of owning a car and a home on the waterfront. This desire to improve one’s living conditions and please the authorities also motivated Soviets under Stalin to denounce their co-workers, neighbors and even close relatives. In investment banking, and especially in entry-level positions, promotion is based not on absolute, but on relative achievement. If a
TED GALEN CARPENTER
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OIC fact finding mission visits Libya support of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for the unity of Libya and for the preservation of its security, stability and territorial integrity, a delegation of the OIC General Secretariat visited Libya on a fact-finding mission and met government officials and representatives of the civil society. The three member delegation, led by Amb. Habib Kaabachi, Director in Political Affairs Department, met with Mr. Abdullah Al-Thini, head of the internationally recognized government of Libya, and conveyed to him the constant po-
US’ ability to control Japan has abated
starting analyst knows that only six out of 10 new hires will get promoted, one way to succeed is to excel at work. The second way to improve your chances is to never miss a chance to politely inform your boss when a rival analyst makes a mistake. In the Soviet system, repression was needed to clear the way for young and ambitious individuals to climb the career ladder. They needed to see that there were constantly new openings for the positions of general, people’s commissar and factory manager, and that they could attain those heights if they worked hard enough. Stalin’s repression was a mechanism for intimidating the entire population. The significant growth that the Soviet economy achieved in the 1930s was largely the result of brutal “investment banking-style” motivation that was forcibly imposed on the entire country. All of the world’s planned economies died out long ago, victims of their inherent inefficiency. For example, Cuba gave up its planned economy many years back and North Korean manages to survive only because the authorities close their eyes to the country’s unofficial private sector. But if to compare Stalin’s planned economy to others of the same type, then it did achieve impressive results. Still, this analysis in no way justifies classifying Stalin as an “effective manager.” Stalin was a ruthless mass murderer. No economic achievement can justify that sea of blood. Fortunately for Russia, Putin is no Stalin. Putin’s system of control follows the classic “family business” model. He hands out senior posts exclusively to loyal family and friends. Punishment is meted out not for unprofessional behavior, but for showing
disloyalty to the “family.” A minimum degree of repression is needed to protect the family business from a hostile takeover. It is necessary to have a very severe punishment for protestors, but to apply it very selectively. In order to persuade the majority of Moscow’s potential protestors to stay home, the authorities have only to hold show trials against 100 demonstrators. In the investment banking style of management, promotion depends on professionalism. In the family business style of management, loyalty is key. When Stalin had to quickly build the atomic bomb, he gathered the country’s top professionals, including those imprisoned in the Gulag. He understood that even absolute loyalty would not help someone understand physics. Russia is currently facing serious economic problems. Which top economists did Putin round up to help find a solution? Not a single one, despite the fact that leading U.S. and European universities have a number of highly-qualified native Russian professors on their faculties. The only plan for overcoming the crisis that economists in the government and Central Bank have is to wait until oil prices rise to their former levels and petrodollars start flowing back into the country again. The situation is no better in other sectors. Just look at who heads Russian Railways and the state’s oil and gas corporations. Loyalty to the ruling circle is replacing professionalism in all areas of life. An investment banking management style in government can yield positive results. Former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew motivated civil servants with those prin-
ciples. Anyone who managed to climb to the top of the political ladder in Singapore and become Prime Minister earns an annual salary of $2 million. Government ministers earn from $1 million to $1.5 million per year. However, any Singaporean public servant involved in corrupt dealings faces not only dismissal, but also prison. What future awaits the “family business” style of management in Russia? In all likelihood, Putin will hand over the reins to someone in his immediate “family” or inner circle, or else pass them to a different “family.” However, no worthy successor has yet appeared in Putin’s inner circle. Many observers considered Igor Sechin as a possible candidate, but now his management skills are in question. When Sechin took over as head of Rosneft three years ago, the company was generating annual profits of 342 billion rubles ($11 billion at 2012 rates). Now Rosneft is requesting 1.3 trillion rubles ($25.5 billion) in government assistance for new projects. There are no other worthy candidates in Putin’s “family.” That is why the most likely alternative is for Putin to hand power to another family — for example, to that of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Kadyrov values loyalty above professionalism. Kadyrov’s resources could prove a decisive factor if Putin’s unexpected passing required an urgent transfer of power. Who else but Kadyrov could bring 10,000 loyal soldiers to the Kremlin within 24 hours of taking office? —Courtesy: MT [Maxim Mironov is a professor at the IE Business School in Madrid. This comment originally appeared in Vedomosti]
ECAUSE of bitter historical memories, China has long been wary about a Japanese military revival. Indeed, even during the chilliest days of the Cold War, China provided mixed signals about the US military presence in East Asia. Although Washington’s motive to contain communist (including Chinese communist) influence was evident, and therefore resented, Chinese leaders also seemed to believe that America’s supervision restrained Tokyo and prevented its rise as a strong, independent military power. In recent years, US leaders have gradually become increasingly receptive to Japan playing a more active security role. The previous ambivalence faded noticeably during the George W. Bush’s administration, and that trend has continued throughout the Barack Obama years. The implicit focus of the rebalancing strategy and other elements of US policy in East Asia is to contain China’s growing power and influence. Washington has looked on benignly as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government developed military systems with power projection capabilities, such as the new helicopter carrier, signed arms sale agreements with other countries, and “reinterpreted” Article 9 of Japan’s pacifist Constitution to permit military missions beyond situations of strict self-defense. The American public, however, remains decidedly ambivalent about Japan playing a more extensive security role. A recent Pew Institute survey found that 47 percent would welcome such a change, in part to alleviate the financial and logistical burdens on the United States, but 43 percent believed that, given Japan’s history of aggression in the 20th century, it should strictly limit its military role. The Abe government’s recent actions are not likely to reduce the uneasiness in the US, China or other countries. Tokyo has adopted an uncompromising stance on two contentious territorial issues. Actions by Abe and some close associates reinforce such suspicions. Measures that have been especially unhelpful include the Japanese prime minister’s visits to Yasukuni Shrine (even though individuals honored there include World War II war criminals), continued reluctance to accept historical responsibility for “comfort women” - women who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military personnel during WWII, and Abe’s indiscreet comments suggesting that Japan was something other than a blatant aggressor before and during WWII. Some of those incidents have dismayed even usually supportive US officials. Although there is virtually no danger that Japan will embark on another aggressively expansionist binge, these actions taken together indicate that it is pursuing an increasingly bold, nationalist agenda. That development is likely to make China, South Korea and other neighbors nervous. It also may cause mixed emotions in Washington. US leaders no doubt like the concept of a more robust and capable ally in East Asia. However, Japan’s assertiveness can also entangle the US in problems it would prefer to avoid. For example, Tokyo’s uncompromising attitude on the Diaoyu Islands (called Senkaku Islands in Japan) issue places Washington in an uncomfortable position. Japanese pressure virtually forced the Obama administration to confirm that the bilateral mutual defense treaty covers those islands - even though their legal status remains very much in dispute. Any armed incident between China and Japan over that issue would create an immediate crisis for the US. The regional strategic dynamic has changed in a fundamental fashion. Japan is becoming a far more capable military ally than in previous decades, but US leaders must accept the corresponding reality that Japan also will be a much more independent-minded power with its own policy agenda. Tokyo’s goals may sometimes conflict with Washington’s policy preferences or even important US interests. China and other East Asian powers likewise need to realize that the US’ ability to control Japan’s actions in the security arena has already diminished and is likely to fade further in the coming years. —Courtesy: CD [The author is a senior fellow for defense and foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute]
Anti-radicalisation message needs follow-on H A HELLYER
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UESTIONS on religiously inspired radicalism have been raised for years. The rise of ISIL has made the questions more pertinent, as the Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies Forum held in Abu Dhabi last week, underscored. What’s the solution? There have been calls over the past few years for an Islamic reformation that would effectively address the crisis within the faith created by ISIL. Almost invariably, these calls have been made from outside the religious establishment. The fact is that a religious reformation has already taken place in Islam. The purist Salafi movement that came about in the Arabian Peninsula more than 200 years ago was precisely that – a reformation process – and it did not work out very well. Indeed, one could argue that an element within the neo-religious ideology of ISIL dates back to the rebellion against classical religious authority that Salafism promoted. There have also been calls for a “religious revival”, or “revivification”. They’ve not been particularly convincing, despite many in the media getting excited about any notion that smacks of a “reformation”. Historically, Muslim communities that have gone through religious “renewal” (as Muslim history books describe it) have had such processes sustained through scholarship. Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, the widely respected Mauritanian religious authority behind the forum, isn’t a typical scholar. He’s described in the global Muslim establishment as a “scholar’s scholar”. When he speaks of something akin to religious revival, it’s serious. Many of his works have stood the test of time. Over the past week, Sheikh Bin Bayyah convened meetings attended by hundreds of people, including many senior religious scholars. Some gave presentations that noted the other factors – social, economic and political – in the radicalisation process. These factors are often far more important than the neo-religious ideology that ISIL and other terrorist groups propagate. All of these factors do need to be taken into account because even if they do not directly lead to extremism, they can destroy the fabric of communities. Important to the success of these conferences, nevertheless, is the operational follow-up that takes place. Refreshingly this year, diverse groups of young Muslims engaged in developing technological tools to interrupt the extremist narrative online, thereby promoting positive messages and an understanding of their faith. The Haqqathon programme, as it is called, is meant for a certain type of young audience. Such projects have great potential, and it is to the credit of the organisers and their partners that they considered this element. It is not just technological engagements that are relevant, however. Religious scholars, as well as civil society groups, should be more proactive in promoting positive and deeply thought-out alternatives in their own communities, rather than waiting for the state to lead them. For the valiant efforts of the likes of this forum to be genuinely successful, Muslim communities require four things in a follow-up by participants. The first is the practical institutionalisation of the ideas of the likes of Sheikh Bin Bayyah. —Courtesy: TN, UAE [Dr HA Hellyer is an associate fellow in International Security Studies at the Royal United Services Institute in London, and the Centre for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC]