Yemeni special anti-terror forces execute a drill in the Saref area, on the northern outskirts of the capital Sanaa, on Jan. 23. (Photo: Marwan Naamani/ AFP-Getty Images)

In a discussion with American and European legislators, as well as with counterterrorism experts from the Arab world, I suggested the formation of an “Anti-Terror Joint Force” as a response to the expansion of terror organizations both al Qaeda- and Iranian-backed throughout the region. Over the past few years I have given briefings to the Anti-Terror Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives as well as to several defense agencies on how such an initiative could start among Arab governments and expand later to Muslim countries.

These countries in the Arab world are already fighting terrorism in general and al Qaeda in particular. Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Iraq and several Gulf states are confronting al Qaeda and jihadi Takfiris in their homelands. In some cases they are fighting networks backed by the Iranian regime, as is the case in Yemen, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. An Arab leadership on counter terrorism would pull these resources together, benefiting all countries involved, and would be backed by many Western countries.

An Arab joint effort against terrorism would be beneficial not only on military and security levels but also on ideological levels. Arab intellectuals and NGOs, when approached and supported seriously, can be efficient in countering radicalization and indoctrination by jihadi Salafis and Khomeinists.

To read more click below…
The Need for a Joint Arab Force against Terror

China is launching an Arabic-language TV channel to show the Middle East and North Africa the “real” China.

China Central Television’s station will broadcast news, entertainment and cultural programmes 24 hours a day.
BBC NEWS

China launches Arabic TV channel