The Standard

Al-Jihad Leader Tries to Change the Rules of Jihad

Egypt's Al-Jihad Group Changes Course

Egypt's leading Al-Qaeda faction has published a series of articles in two Arabic language newspapers criticizing the religious justifications for Jihad.

In "Revisions," Al-Jihad Group's founder and ideological father, Sayed Imam El-Sawahri, renounces violence and calls for an end to militant operations in Muslim countries.

In the pamphlet, Sayed Imam argues that the targeting of all civilians and tourists is violation of Sharia, or Islamic Law.

The author, who is better known by his underground name Dr. Fadl, published the "Foundations of Preparation for Holy War," which provided the original fodder for militant Islamic ideologies that have emerged over the last several decades.

Sayed Imam's Al-Jihad group is partially responsible for the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat in 1981 and the Luxor massacre in 1997.

Triggering an Internal Debate?

The fact that Sayed Imam holds such prominence within the jihadist community means the Revisions may trigger a re-think among Arab jihadist groups.

Sayed Imam's very public shift is also likely to rekindle a debate in radical academic and religious circles about the rules of armed jihad.

The Revisions is primarily aimed at preventing future attacks in Muslim countries and it is doubtful they will affect Al-Qaeda operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

MTV Arabia Launches in Cairo and Dubai

New Channel Aims For Middle East's Under Thirty Demographic

Viacom and the Dubai-based Arab Media Group have launched a version of MTV aimed at an Arab audience.

MTV Arabia premiered at midnight on Saturday with performances by the rapper Ludacris, the Senegalese superstar Akon, and the UAE hip hop band Desert Heat.

The American-based music video channel plans to feature locally produced reality television programs along with Arab hip hop and international music videos.

With two-thirds of the Middle East's population under thirty, the market for MTV Arabia is potentially huge.

The opportunity for SMS-based revenue is particularly high considering the large number of people using mobile phones in the region.

A Cluttered Arab Market

The venture faces challenges.

The Middle East is already home to over 30 satellite channels airing Arab music videos.

MTV Arabia's coverage will be without many of the region's top stars, who are are locked into exclusive contracts with media companies like the Saudi-based Rotana Music Group.

This is one reason why the new channel will focus on hip hop and R & B videos, which MTV executives see as a largely untapped segment of the market.

MTV also hopes to lure viewers with Arabic versions of Pimp My Ride and The Dream, a show where viewers watch as awkward teens are transformed into stars.

Navigating Cultural Mores

MTV has a history of doing well with provocative music videos and scantily clad women.

The parent companies' executive are aware of the risk the brand may alienate conservative Arab culture.

Arab Media Group CEO Abdullatif al-Sayegh  has said conscientious editors will cut out any offending material.

MTV's Bhavneet Singh gave his reassurances with a bit more pitch: "We hope to provide a platform for Arab youth to break boundaries without disrespecting their tradition and culture."

Time will tell if such a mission is possible and, more importantly, profitable.

Week in Review

  **** The previous week's Russia-EU summit ended with unresolved disputes over Russian investment in the EU energy markets and the planned US missile shield in central Europe.

**** In a joint letter published in French and German newspapers, the French and German foreign ministers warned that a Russia's planned withdraw from the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty (CFE) may provoke an arms race.

The ministers referred to the "specter of a new Cold War."

**** Russia placed restrictions on the number of international monitors it would allow into the country to observe the December parliamentary elections. The monitoring agencies called the move "unprecedented."

**** The Chinese company TEDA reached an agreement with Egypt to build an industrial zone near Suez that is expected to pull in $2.5 billion in Chinese investment.

The deal is another tie forged in a growing economic partnership between the two nations.

China and Egypt in $2.5 Billion Deal

Chinese Company to Manage Industrial Park Near Suez

China has reached an agreement with Egypt to set up an industrial zone near Suez that is expected to attract $2.5 billion in Chinese investment.

The park will be managed, financed and developed by the Chinese company TEDA.

TEDA will develop the zone over the next ten years and combine a range of industries including textiles, electronics and auto parts.

Egyptian Reforms

The industrial zone deal is part of the Egypt's larger goal of attracting more foreign direct investment into the country.

Egypt has cut its corporate tax rates from 40% to 20% over the past two years and lowered its customs charges from an average of 15% to 7%.

These reforms coupled with others have had their intended effect.

Egypt attracted a record $6.1 billion in foreign investment during the last fiscal year.

This year's number is expected to top $10 billion.

China and Egypt

The industrial park deal is another piece of what seems the beginning of a win-win partnership between Egypt and China.

Egypt is seen as a base for Chinese production of exports to Europe -- a market Chinese companies surely have their eyes on.

In return Egypt gets the infrastructure development that comes along with cheap and abundant Chinese capital.

China recently gave $200 million dollars in soft loans to Egyptian companies who purchased production lines and other equipment from China.

Egyptian politicians have hailed the deals and called for more.