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MEDI1TV Afrique : Lutte antiterroriste : La stratégie du Maroc mise en avant - 14/04/2024
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00:00Welcome to a new episode of Ma'al Maghreb, a new show on Median TV, with Morocco from
00:16Washington.
00:17This week, we'll be talking about the following acts, the Moscow attacks, the political repercussions,
00:23the anti-terrorist struggle, the Moroccan strategy put forward by several countries in the world.
00:30Morocco as a model of moderate Islam and the fight against extremism.
00:40We'll be focusing today on Russia following the Moscow attack.
00:48By analysing the repercussions of this devastating act, we will try to understand its impact
00:54in Russia and in the world.
01:02We will see how the fight against terrorism on an international scale transcends borders,
01:07ideologies and cultures.
01:10We will also highlight Morocco's role in this fight, as a leader in cooperation
01:16against violent extremism, Morocco has a global strategy and provides valuable information.
01:23In addition, we will examine how Morocco has asserted itself as a defender of moderate Islam.
01:29In a world often marked by polarization and ignorance, Morocco illustrates the power of
01:34moderation in the interpretation of Islamic teachings.
01:38The country's approach offers a convincing model on how to harmonize religious teachings
01:43with contemporary values to promote peace, understanding and coexistence.
01:50To discuss this topic, we will have the pleasure of welcoming today on the stage,
01:54Lawrence Korb, who was an advisor to the Reagan-Bush Electoral Committee in 1980,
02:01then Deputy Secretary of Defense from 1981 to 1985.
02:08For his services, he received the Pentagon Medal for Distinguished Public Service.
02:15And from Washington, DC, Norman Rule joins us via Zoom.
02:20Norman is the main advisor, non-resident of the Transnational Treats Project
02:25at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
02:29After a 34-year experience at the CIA, he has led important programs related to the Middle East.
02:38In the second part of this episode, I will be joined by Sheikh Mohamed Abdullilah,
02:44Imam and President of the Moroccan-American Community Organization
02:49in the suburbs of the American capital.
02:56And via Zoom in Washington, DC, Ilan Berman,
03:00who is Senior Vice President of the Council of Foreign Affairs,
03:04will be with us in video conference.
03:07Ilan, I would like to point out, is an expert on regional security in the Middle East,
03:10Central Asia and the Russian Federation.
03:13He has advised the CIA and the State Department on defense.
03:19Finally, I am accompanied by our columnist Chris Lapetina,
03:22a veteran of the American Navy and founder of Focus Consulting in Washington, DC.
03:29Welcome, everybody.
03:31But before we start our discussion, I would like to read you an article from the Washington Post
03:36entitled, without real evidence,
03:38the FSB accuses Kiev and Washington of facilitating the terrorist attack in Moscow.
03:47Without real evidence, the FSB accuses Kiev and Washington of facilitating the terrorist attack in Moscow.
03:54The head of the Russian Federal Security Service has publicly accused Ukraine and the United States
03:59of being behind the terrorist attack in Moscow,
04:02without providing tangible evidence to support his allegations.
04:05In an article in the Washington Post written by Mary Ilyushina and Robin Dickson,
04:10the statements of Russian intelligence chief Alexander Bortnikov are closely examined.
04:15Bortnikov directly cited the attack of the concert hall in Ukraine,
04:19claiming that Kiev had trained militants in the Middle East,
04:22although these statements are not supported by any evidence.
04:34The authors also emphasize that this accusation seems to be an attempt to divert attention
04:39from the failure of the Russian intelligence service to prevent the attack.
04:42Russian officials have also pointed the finger at the Western special services,
04:46claiming that they would have helped the Islamic extremists responsible for the attack,
04:50as well as the Ukrainian special services.
04:55Although the United States has generally warned Russia of the imminent threat of attack,
05:00Vladimir Putin rejected this warning,
05:03considering it an attempt to destabilize Russia by the West.
05:08Bortnikov admitted that the United States had indeed transmitted information
05:12about a probable terrorist attack, but described them as vague.
05:21Russian accusations also suggest that the CIA and the British intelligence services
05:26reinforced their presence in some Afghan provinces,
05:29with the aim of creating a belt of instability along the southern border of the Independent States community.
05:38According to Bortnikov, fighters from international terrorist groups operating in Iraq,
05:46Syria and other Asian and African regions
05:52were recruited and transferred north of Afghanistan to support this objective.
05:59Let's start with our special contributor Chris Lapetina.
06:02Chris, after analyzing the statements of the director of Russian foreign intelligence,
06:06it seems that Moscow is trying to exploit this attack for political and propaganda purposes.
06:11Do you share this interpretation as well?
06:14Yes, Mark. Unfortunately, Russia is ruled by Putin,
06:19and this is the case.
06:22Russia is ruled by Putin, a tyrant, known for his brutal methods,
06:27including the murder of his own citizens, as has been proven.
06:32It is therefore no surprise that he is trying to exploit a terrorist act to blame Ukraine,
06:37without proof of support, in order to maintain his power.
06:42And this manipulation of power,
06:47without proof of support, in order to maintain his power.
06:52And this manipulation of truth is typical of Putin,
06:57who is ready to say anything to preserve his regime and deceive his own people,
07:02if not the whole world.
07:05What is your analysis, Lawrence Korb, following this attack,
07:10to the first response of the Russian authorities?
07:13How do you interpret the accusations made by the Kremlin against the United States and Western countries about this terrorist attack?
07:26Listening to Russia's choice by Daesh for an attack raises questions about their motivation,
07:32especially given other options available, including the United States in 2001.
07:37It seems that their objective was to demonstrate the vulnerability of a state known for its robust security.
07:44This attack, despite the persistent disagreements between Russia and the West on issues such as nuclear weapons and Ukraine,
07:51has unified concerns about terrorism, especially against Daesh.
07:56The attempts to set up a guard by the Russian authorities
08:00may have been interpreted by Putin as maneuvers to distract Ukraine
08:04or to gain a diplomatic advantage on this matter,
08:07which may have led to an underestimation of the threat.
08:11Now, Putin's accusations against the United States and the West,
08:15associated with a supposed counter-invasion of Ukraine,
08:18reflect an attempt to divert the attention of the flaws in national security.
08:22Meanwhile, the coalition of 40 countries supporting Ukraine
08:25seems to seek to weaken the Russian position on the international scene.
08:35Let's go to Zoom, Norman.
08:38Based on your experience at the CIA,
08:41could you enlighten us on the attack in Moscow?
08:45What elements can you provide us with?
08:48In addition, what actions are the Russian forces taking in response to this attack?
08:53Your question is relevant.
08:57To summarize the situation,
09:00the American authorities have recently warned their Russian counterparts,
09:04both discreetly and publicly,
09:07that they had information on terrorist intentions of Daesh-Khorasan,
09:12aimed at perpetrating attacks in Russia,
09:15including during public events such as concerts.
09:19The United States issued a public statement of its own
09:23to inform the Russian authorities of the attack,
09:26as well as other nationalities, in order to protect them.
09:31However, it seems that the security measures taken by Russia
09:36have not been sufficient to detect and neutralize the terrorists
09:40before they take action, leading to a tragedy.
09:44The individuals involved appear to be Tajiks,
09:49recruited online by an individual offering them an important task.
09:54Unfortunately, the security measures taken by the Russian authorities
09:59have not been sufficient to identify these individuals
10:04before they have committed their murderous acts.
10:09Mr. Korb, you have highlighted a similarity between Daesh and Al-Qaeda's intentions,
10:14suggesting that they would be able to penetrate a police state like Russia
10:19to carry out devastating attacks.
10:22The NSC, the National Security Council in the United States,
10:26confirmed that Kiev had nothing to do with this attack.
10:29However, Putin quickly attempted to reject responsibility for Ukraine,
10:33claiming that the authors had gone to this country to take refuge there.
10:37Since the United States has warned Russia,
10:40this reaction seems disconcerting on Putin's part.
10:44Do you think there was a flaw in the Russian security services
10:49preventing them from preventing such attacks?
10:54Well, I think it shows that he was...
10:57This highlights a possible negligence of his intelligence service towards Daesh.
11:02Currently, our intelligence services have been paying particular attention to Daesh,
11:07especially since the events of September 11.
11:10However, it seems that the Russian president has not taken this threat seriously enough,
11:15perhaps thinking that Western concerns were exaggerated
11:19due to Russia's foreign policy, especially its involvement in Ukraine.
11:24Now, he's trying to deflect the blame on the Russians that suffered from this.
11:35This raises questions about Russia's massive defense spending
11:40and the effectiveness of its security measures,
11:43accusing the Ukrainians or the United States.
11:45Putin may be trying to divert the attention of internal critics
11:49and to include this attack in the broader context of the conflict in Ukraine.
11:56Norman Rule, what were the security measures in place in Moscow
12:00and how could they have mitigated the impact of the attack?
12:04It is obvious that flaws in the security system have been highlighted.
12:08So what implications does this have for the current situation in Russia?
12:20Your question is relevant, Mark.
12:23Daesh-Khorasan has been targeting Russia for a long time with concerted terrorist efforts,
12:29as evidenced by its past attacks against Russian citizens.
12:34Before discussing this subject in depth,
12:37it is essential to recognize that Russia should have allocated significant resources
12:42to its intelligence services and to fight terrorism
12:45in order to protect the country and its citizens against such threats,
12:49which it seems to have neglected.
12:53These events occur in a context where Russian intelligence services
12:58seem to be already weakened,
13:01unable to correctly assess the situation during conflicts
13:05such as the war in Ukraine and the rebellion of the Wagner group.
13:09It seems, therefore, that these services devote more time
13:13to supporting Russian policy in Ukraine and maintaining Vladimir Putin's power
13:19than to effectively face traditional and important threats such as those posed by Daesh.
13:37In this particular case, the information was provided by the United States,
13:42which raises questions about the cooperation between intelligence services
13:47and security.
13:49It would have been more logical to expect a close collaboration
13:53to identify potential suspects and implement reinforced security measures
13:58such as metal detectors or additional controls
14:02to protect civilians during public events,
14:06such as the concert in question.
14:09But unfortunately, this does not seem to have been the case.
14:17And then to isolate them once they were found.
14:20This did not appear to have happened.
14:22Thank you, Norman.
14:24Larry, now we have the U.S. General Frank McKenzie,
14:28former commander of the U.S. Central Command,
14:31who stresses the strong desire of the Daesh terrorist group to target the West.
14:36These statements imply that we should take their threats seriously
14:42and prepare for attacks on our territory.
14:45You have experience in the elaboration of the Pentagon's budget and priorities
14:49to respond to such threats.
14:51So are we sufficiently prepared to deal with such activities on our soil?
14:59I agree.
15:00Since the events of September 11, we have reviewed our budgetary process
15:04and improved coordination between the various security agencies.
15:09Although we unfortunately did not eradicate Daesh in Afghanistan,
15:13their resurgence in several regions of the world worries us.
15:16We are working in close collaboration with our allies to counter this threat.
15:20And we are ready to cooperate with Russia in this regard.
15:23An important lesson that I have drawn from my experience with the Reagan administration
15:27is that despite our disagreements with the Russians on many issues,
15:30we were able to collaborate on the issue of nuclear weapons,
15:33aware of the global consequences of the bad management of this issue.
15:38So I think we are better prepared now.
15:41The fact that we were able to anticipate a potential attack against Russia
15:45shows that we have solid information on the intentions and activities of Daesh.
15:52Norman, to what extent does this attack disrupt the current geopolitical landscape,
15:56especially with regard to Russia's relations with its neighbors,
16:00such as Ukraine and other countries,
16:03as well as with the international community as a whole?
16:12I think it is important to analyze the various negative aspects
16:16of Russia's current domestic and foreign policy.
16:20First of all, Russia seems to pay little attention to its security
16:25against traditional terrorist threats,
16:28preferring to devote more resources to the repression of dissidents
16:32and opponents of its policy towards Ukraine.
16:35In addition, Russia's relations with many countries around the world
16:40are very tense, which considerably complicates international cooperation
16:45in the fight against terrorism and extremism.
16:51The success of an anti-terrorist operation
16:54often depends on the ability to gather information from different sources.
17:00But Russia, like Iran,
17:02generally adopts a suspicious and uncooperative approach in this area.
17:11Indeed, the United States' attempts to develop
17:15an anti-terrorist collaboration with Russia have been rejected several times,
17:20which has led to repeated disappointments in our efforts
17:24to establish a constructive relationship in this area.
17:29Norman, what are the repercussions of this attack
17:33on world security and international relations with Russia,
17:37especially in terms of travel, trade and diplomacy?
17:42Like you said, Russia is in a difficult situation
17:46because of its bellicose attitude towards its neighbors.
17:51So I think we have to look first at Russia and Iran
17:55and say, because they are not on the same level,
17:58we have to prioritize our attention on Russia and Iran,
18:01emphasizing the refusal to cooperate with other nations,
18:04which deprives us of the essential pieces of the puzzle
18:07that they could contribute to assembling.
18:09It is crucial to remember that these nations have intelligence services
18:13focused on specific areas, such as Central Asia or Afghanistan,
18:17where terrorist hostages are located.
18:19Acquiring this information would be valuable
18:22to prevent, for example, terrorist infiltration in Morocco,
18:26the United States and Europe.
18:29Unfortunately, this cooperation has been rejected
18:32due to their lack of willingness.
18:34However, it is important not to follow the example of Russia and Iran,
18:38but rather to take a model on nations such as Morocco.
18:42The latter is distinguished by its exemplary commitment
18:45in the fight against terrorism and extremism,
18:48as well as in the promotion of moderate Islam.
19:03The King Mohammed VI has been a fervent defender of this cause
19:07for many years, both at the regional and global level,
19:11organizing gatherings and launching initiatives
19:14to spread this moderate Islam.
19:16Morocco is also distinguished by its ability
19:19to effectively coordinate its various security agencies
19:23in a unified approach to the fight against terrorism,
19:26and this exemplary collaboration between intelligence services,
19:30police forces, diplomats and customs
19:33has enabled the implementation of a solid model
19:36of terrorism prevention.
19:38In addition, the relations between the American embassy
19:41and the Moroccan government in this area are particularly remarkable,
19:45testifying to the constant efforts of both parties.
20:01In addition, Morocco is not content to preserve its own success,
20:05but is also actively engaging with other nations
20:08to strengthen the anti-terrorist struggle worldwide.
20:12Its organization of the ministerial meeting
20:15of the World Coalition Against Daesh,
20:17as well as its participation in the World Forum
20:20on the Fight Against Terrorism, are eloquent examples.
20:31To sum up, Morocco positions itself as a model to follow,
20:35having demonstrated its effectiveness in the prevention of terrorism
20:39and in its proactive collaboration with other nations in this regard.
20:44Comparatively, the actions of Russia and Iran
20:48have had tragic consequences,
20:50probably costing lives,
20:52especially those of their own citizens.
20:57Let's bring it back to you, Larry,
20:59to examine the intensity of the threat
21:01to security at our borders,
21:03considering the extreme political tensions
21:06that we are currently experiencing in the United States.
21:09In the Senate this year, a bill was adopted
21:12with the aim of improving border security,
21:15in response to the various issues previously mentioned.
21:18However, the House has not yet proceeded with the vote,
21:21so it seems to me imperative
21:23to put in place a coherent border policy,
21:26favoring cooperation between states and the federal government,
21:29as well as a more rigorous control process.
21:31The inaction risks only facilitating the entry of fentanyl into the territory,
21:35a drug that decimates many Americans.
21:41Norman, what initiatives would you recommend
21:44in the current situation
21:46to prevent possible attacks
21:48against the nations of the Western camp?
21:51How can we strengthen international policy
21:54and develop a global strategy,
21:56like the one led by Morocco,
21:58in order to better counter the threats we are facing?
22:01First of all, it is imperative
22:03to develop excellent relations
22:05with Muslim communities worldwide.
22:07In this regard, considerable efforts are being made,
22:10notably by nations such as Morocco,
22:12Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
22:15Secondly, it is essential
22:17to have robust intelligence services.
22:20Morocco, as well as the United States,
22:22certainly has some.
22:24Collaboration with our European partners,
22:26such as the United Kingdom, Spain, France and Italy,
22:29is crucial to develop profiles of travelers
22:32likely to be involved in suspicious activities.
22:35In addition, at the national level,
22:37each country must establish an effective system
22:39of information sharing.
22:41It is essential to avoid a situation
22:43where data could be known by an organization in a country,
22:46but ignored by others
22:49We have all learned lessons
22:51from the fight against terrorism,
22:53and the best models, as mentioned earlier,
22:55are observed in countries such as Morocco,
22:57the Gulf nations, the United States and Europe.
23:01Norman, what is the importance of cybersecurity
23:03and digital intelligence
23:05in preventing such attacks?
23:13It is a very important point, Mark.
23:15I am of the opinion that it has three essential aspects.
23:17First of all, it should be noted
23:19that my generation does not necessarily
23:21master these new technologies
23:23as well as the younger generation.
23:25It is therefore wise to refer to the latter,
23:27not only because of its familiarity with these tools,
23:30but also because of its skills
23:32manifested in this field.
23:34It is imperative to actively involve
23:36this youth in national security issues
23:38and to take advantage of its talents
23:40and its interest in various fields.
23:42Secondly, it is crucial to recognize
23:44that these technological advances
23:46generate a considerable amount of data,
23:48thus exceeding the ability of governments
23:50to process them in a fluid,
23:52efficient and timely manner.
23:56As a result, it is essential
23:58to focus on our ability
24:00to filter this information
24:02in order to detect those that are relevant,
24:04and this will require a better use
24:06of artificial intelligence.
24:12Finally, it is necessary
24:14to share these technologies
24:16and this information
24:18with our most competent partners.
24:20It is useless for the United States
24:22to have cutting-edge technology
24:24if the crucial information
24:26is, for example,
24:28in the Sahelian region of Africa.
24:34Thank you, Norman.
24:36Let's go back now
24:38to the question of international collaboration.
24:40Morocco is frequently mentioned
24:42as one of the key partners,
24:44both regionally and internationally,
24:46in the fight against violent extremism.
24:50How do you perceive
24:52the role of Morocco
24:54in this fight against terrorism?
24:58Listen, Morocco plays an essential role
25:00in the fight against terrorism
25:02and extremism,
25:04especially in the Muslim world
25:06and in Africa.
25:12Morocco co-presides
25:14the World Fighting Terrorism Forum
25:16with Canada
25:18and leads the African group
25:20of the Coalition Against Daesh.
25:28Morocco also deploys forces
25:30in order to contribute
25:32to stabilizing the situation
25:34in Africa,
25:36and this is something
25:38that ISIS can take advantage
25:40of.
25:42Likewise, Morocco supports
25:44the efforts aimed at countering Daesh
25:46and is a key partner
25:48in these efforts.
26:02Norman, as Laurence pointed out,
26:04it seems that our army
26:06and our intelligence apparatus are ready.
26:08Do you share the opinion
26:10that the United States
26:12is currently facing a threat
26:14and risk?
26:16I think we need to recognize
26:18the reality of this threat.
26:20It is clear that sustained efforts
26:22are necessary to put an end to it.
26:24Currently, I do not see any significant
26:26political movement in the United States
26:28to resolve our short-term
26:30frontal crisis,
26:32which exposes us more to this threat.
26:34However, I notice a notable will
26:36within the American government
26:38and among our partners,
26:40especially in the field of robotic technology,
26:42to maximize our cooperation
26:44by exploiting the existing structures
26:46as best as possible
26:48to ensure our collective security.
26:50Let's take a brief intermission.
26:52Stay tuned.
27:06Welcome back to the second part of Maghreb.
27:08We are back for the rest of your show
27:10with Morocco from Washington.
27:12In this second part,
27:14I am accompanied by Sheikh Mohamed Abdoulilah
27:16and Dylan Berman.
27:18We address an important aspect
27:20of the fight against terrorism,
27:22namely the battle to win minds
27:24and protect future generations
27:26of extremist ideologies,
27:28whatever their type or source.
27:30In this context,
27:32the Kingdom of Morocco
27:34stands out by its internationally recognized
27:36efforts in the fight
27:38against violent extremism.
27:40Morocco has adopted
27:42a moderate Islam approach,
27:44rejecting extremism
27:46and guaranteeing the right
27:48to freely practice religious rites.
27:50Importantly,
27:52the religious coexistence
27:54observed in the Kingdom
27:56contributes to making it
27:58one of the safest countries
28:00in the world.
28:02What is your assessment of the efforts
28:04deployed by Morocco
28:06in its cooperation in the fight
28:08against terrorism,
28:10and how would you describe
28:12the religious experience in Morocco?
28:14First of all, Mark,
28:16I would like to emphasize
28:18the chance we had,
28:20as well as our viewers,
28:22to hear the perspectives
28:24of two experts,
28:26one at the highest levels
28:28of the Pentagon
28:30on the fight against terrorism.
28:32It was such a precious lesson
28:34for all of us at all levels.
28:36In the fight against terrorism,
28:38I firmly believe that freedom
28:40is the most powerful weapon
28:42a country can use,
28:44and Morocco is of that value.
28:46I think that freedom,
28:48which also includes religious freedom,
28:50is a crucial element that makes me confident
28:52in Morocco's ability to continue
28:54to oppose terrorism.
28:56As you mentioned in your introduction,
28:58Morocco has a long history
29:00of respecting religious freedom.
29:02I would also like to emphasize
29:04the remarkable way in which
29:06Morocco treats its Jewish citizens,
29:08especially in the current context
29:10of the situation in Gaza.
29:12It is rare to see a Middle East
29:14country treat its Jewish citizens
29:16with such respect and such dignity.
29:18This is a testament to the commitment
29:20of His Majesty the King
29:22to perpetuate this tradition
29:24of tolerance and coexistence.
29:26The fight against terrorism
29:28has contributed to preserving
29:30freedom for all those
29:32who benefit from it in the world.
29:34Dear Abdullilah,
29:36as the imam of the Mosque
29:38of the Al-Salam Center,
29:40whose honor reflects the importance
29:42you give to peace,
29:44I would like to ask you
29:46to share with us your position
29:48on the recent terrorist attack
29:50that took place
29:52in the Russian capital
29:54in Moscow.
29:56As a Muslim,
29:58I want to underline
30:00that such acts are totally
30:02contrary to our beliefs
30:04and are strictly forbidden
30:06in Islam.
30:08It is always remarkable
30:10to see that the Muslim community
30:12has more than 2 billion people.
30:14Faced with a tragedy like this,
30:16we wonder how a person
30:18who claims to be Muslim
30:20could act in this way
30:22while our religion teaches us
30:24that saving a life is equivalent
30:26to saving all of humanity
30:28and that taking a life
30:30is equivalent to destroying
30:32all of humanity.
30:34I would like to express
30:36my most sincere condolences
30:38to the Russian people.
30:40I hope that this tragedy
30:42will encourage the whole world
30:44to promote peace,
30:46because it is through peace
30:48that we create a favorable environment
30:50for all of humanity.
30:52Let us now turn to the White House
30:54for a report by our correspondent
30:56Jeanne Mansour
30:58on the efforts of Morocco
31:00in the fight against terrorism
31:02and on the promotion
31:04of religious moderation
31:06both within the Kingdom
31:08and internationally.
31:10Morocco,
31:12located at the crossroads
31:14between Africa and the world
31:16and serving as a bridge
31:18in the fight against terrorism.
31:20Thanks to its strategic
31:22geographical position
31:24and its close cooperation
31:26with the international community,
31:28Morocco has asserted itself
31:30as a leader in the fight
31:32against extremism.
31:34The country has adopted
31:36a global approach
31:38that combines rigorous security measures
31:40with initiatives aimed
31:42at addressing the deep causes
31:44of extremism, such as poverty,
31:46violence and social isolation.
31:48This has given Morocco
31:50a role in strengthening
31:52the security of the region.
31:54These efforts have strengthened
31:56Morocco's role in securing
31:58the region and contributed
32:00to international stability.
32:02Under the leadership
32:04of His Majesty the King,
32:06Morocco continues initiatives
32:08aimed at promoting social harmony,
32:10rehabilitating detainees
32:12linked to extremism
32:14During this time,
32:16other actors have adopted
32:18an approach based on violence
32:20and tensions, which opens
32:22the way for extremist groups
32:24to disrupt regional security
32:26and threaten its future.
32:30In addition to security operations,
32:32Morocco has launched effective
32:34initiatives to promote
32:36a moderate interpretation of Islam.
32:38This includes the formation
32:40of imams and religious guides
32:42to promote values of peace
32:44and tolerance, while preserving
32:46the country's cultural identity.
32:52These multidimensional efforts
32:54show Morocco's firm commitment
32:56to fighting terrorism,
32:58while respecting human rights
33:00and promoting social
33:02and economic development.
33:04The close cooperation
33:06between Morocco and its
33:08international partners,
33:10including the United States
33:12and the countries of the European
33:14Union, is an essential pillar
33:16of its strategy to fight
33:18terrorism.
33:20This cooperation includes
33:22the exchange of information,
33:24information and the strengthening
33:26of security capabilities.
33:28Morocco, recognized
33:30on the international scene,
33:32has significantly contributed
33:34to preventing many terrorist
33:36attacks and dismantling
33:38extremist networks,
33:40consolidating its role
33:42as a trusted partner
33:44in the global fight against
33:46terrorism.
33:48Jehan Mansour, Median TV,
33:50in front of the White House,
33:52Washington.
33:54Thank you Jehan.
33:56Sheikh Abdullilah,
33:58as an imam, you have
34:00a deep knowledge of the true
34:02teachings of Islam.
34:08Could you discuss the concept
34:10of moderation and identify
34:12aspects or misunderstandings
34:14that may arise
34:16with extremist interpretations?
34:18Yeah, of course.
34:20I mean, Islam, you know,
34:22there is a verse in the Quran,
34:24it says,
34:28Permettez-moi d'abord
34:30d'aborder ce volet. Dans l'Islam,
34:32le Coran souligne clairement que
34:34les croyants sont une communauté
34:36équilibrée, celle du juste milieu.
34:38Il n'y a pas de place pour l'extrémisme
34:40dans notre foi. Malheureusement,
34:42de nos jours, l'ignorance des
34:44préceptes de l'Islam conduit
34:46certaines personnes à adopter des
34:48interprétations extrémistes,
34:50ce qui pose un grave problème.
34:52Je crois fermement que pour
34:54lutter contre le terrorisme,
34:56nous devons concentrer nos efforts sur
34:58l'éducation, en particulier au sein des
35:00communautés musulmanes et à l'échelle mondiale.
35:02Il est essentiel de comprendre comment
35:04adorer notre Créateur et comment
35:06traiter les autres. L'Islam
35:08n'en pose aucune contrainte. Il est basé
35:10sur la soumission volontaire à Dieu.
35:12Ainsi, personne ne peut être contraint
35:14d'être musulman, car la foi doit être
35:16un choix libre et conscient. Nous pouvons
35:18liser de nombreux exemples dans le Coran
35:20pour illustrer cette notion, comme celui
35:22de Noé et de son fils, où la foi
35:24n'a pas été imposée par la force.
35:26De même, le prophète Mohamed
35:28lui-même n'a pas infligé de violence
35:30à son oncle, malgré le refus
35:32de ce dernier de se convertir
35:34à l'Islam. Cela montre
35:36que la contrainte et l'extrémisme
35:38ne sont pas compatibles avec les
35:40enseignements de l'Islam.
35:42Je suis convaincu que le manque
35:44de compréhension des enseignements
35:46et des préceptes de notre religion
35:48est à l'origine de nombreux problèmes.
35:50L'ignorance, associée à des facteurs
35:52sociaux et économiques, peut conduire
35:54à la haine et à la désillusion,
35:56ce qui peut nourrir un sentiment
35:58d'injustice et de mécontentement.
36:00Dans un contexte mondial où des conflits
36:02comme la guerre à Gaza sont présents,
36:04il est d'autant plus crucial de promouvoir
36:06la connaissance, l'égalité et la paix
36:08pour contrer ces tendances
36:10Élan Berman, il semble y avoir une
36:32dissonance entre les avertissements
36:34américains adressés à Moscou
36:36concernant une attaque potentielle imminente
36:38and the bellicose tone of Russia towards the West, in particular towards the United States.
36:45So could you elaborate on this apparent contradiction between the collaboration and the growing
36:52aggressiveness between the two parties?
36:55I think the US warning is very significant because the US government, US intelligence
37:02agencies and the government we are in close contact with, such as Russia or Iran, the warning
37:09that came out of the United States concerning an imminent attack was a crucial measure,
37:16supported by tangible evidence.
37:18It is to be noted that similar actions have been taken previously in the face of Iran.
37:25The resurgence of the terrorist threat confirms the importance of alliances,
37:30notably those with partners such as Morocco.
37:33Historically, Morocco has played a very constructive role as a warning canary in the coal mine.
37:43Historically, Morocco has played a very constructive role as a warning canary in the coal mine.
37:51Morocco has played a constructive role as an early warning system against instability,
37:56acting as a warning beacon between Africa and Europe.
37:59But in recent years, Morocco has played an even more significant role as a tolerant,
38:05pluralistic and inclusive model of society.
38:07It is no longer seen as an exception in the Islamic world, but as an example to follow.
38:11It is much more, I think, resilient against radical ideas.
38:16Now Morocco sees itself as a model.
38:19Increasingly, you're seeing efforts by the Moroccan government to take this model of Islam
38:25and export it.
38:26It engages in its tolerant model of Islam, educating the religious and making sure that
38:32religious teachings do not get radicalized by radicalization.
38:36This is a new role to hit the heart of the battle of ideas that is still taking place
38:44in the Muslim world.
38:46Sheikh Abdullilah, you were born in Morocco, raised in Morocco.
38:52As a Moroccan, having grown up in this country,
38:55could you tell us about the specific aspects of religious practice in Morocco
39:00and the elements that promote religious tolerance in your country of origin?
39:07The tolerance in Morocco is deeply rooted in the true essence of Islam.
39:12We have been educated in a spirit of non-hatred towards others,
39:15with a message of tolerance towards our neighbors, whatever their faith or their color.
39:21We have been educated to respect the religious choices of others,
39:24whatever their convictions.
39:26Thus, a welcoming culture takes root in our society,
39:30where the respect of others and their beliefs is fundamental,
39:34without trying to impose our own convictions on them.
39:37This approach favors peaceful coexistence,
39:40where everyone contributes to the collective well-being of the kingdom.
39:43As a Moroccan Muslim now living in the United States,
39:46and as an American citizen,
39:48I strive to contribute to the progress and harmony of my country of adoption.
39:52This perspective reflects the beauty of our religion,
39:55often misunderstood by a minority,
39:57but which offers the possibility of living in peace and prospering,
40:01while preserving our religious identity
40:03and allowing our children to practice their faith freely.
40:09Ilan, Morocco is characterized by a tolerant and open Islam,
40:14unlike some other countries in the region that do not share the same values.
40:19This is partly due to the political system
40:22and especially to the active and strong role played by the king of Morocco.
40:30I consider this as a point of extreme importance.
40:38In addition, as a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad,
40:41the king of Morocco has the authority and legitimacy
40:44to discern the correct teachings from the incorrect,
40:47as well as to refute the wrong interpretations, like that of Daesh.
40:51This unique position gives the Moroccan model
40:57a legitimacy and credibility that other countries simply do not have.
41:17It is imperative that the governments of the United States and Europe
41:20pay more attention to this reality.
41:24Nearly 25 years after the attacks of September 11
41:28and in the light of the recent terrorist attacks,
41:32it is clear that the problem of extremism persists.
41:36It is therefore clear that the United States and its Western allies
41:40are looking for moderate Islamic models in the Muslim world
41:43to counter these intolerant ideas.
41:47In this context, Morocco has an inestimable potential
41:53to play a constructive and significant role.
41:56It is to be hoped that in the future,
41:59Washington and other Western capitals
42:02will fully recognize the crucial role
42:08that Morocco can play in promoting tolerance
42:13and a greater understanding of religious moderation.
42:18Let's stay in the Maghreb,
42:20a region where we observe a disturbing rise
42:23in the discourse and terrorist acts
42:26perpetrated by extremist groups such as the Polisario Front,
42:30which benefits from the support of Algeria.
42:32How do you interpret this contradiction
42:35between moderate Islam observed in Morocco
42:37and the extremist approach that its borders and nearby provide?
42:42It's important to note,
42:44not least because there has been, I think,
42:48a mistaken perception in Washington
42:52that there was an erroneous perception in Washington
42:55that Iran is only a problem in the Middle East.
42:59However, it is more and more obvious,
43:03especially after the attacks in Hamas on October 7,
43:07that the focus is more on the Levant,
43:10the Eastern Mediterranean and possibly the Persian Gulf.
43:14However, the reality is that we are observing
43:17a reactivation of a front of rejection
43:19that goes beyond sectarian divisions within Islam
43:22and questions the order led by the West.
43:26Iran plays a central role in this trend
43:30by using a network of well-known leaders,
43:33such as Hezbollah and Hamas,
43:35but also groups like the Polisario
43:37beyond its immediate sphere.
44:08Indeed, Iran has become a regional and global problem,
44:11seeking to exploit disorders in the Middle East
44:13and North Africa to strengthen its strategic position.
44:17When the United States and its allies
44:26feel limited in terms of security and politics,
44:30Iran's allies benefit from a greater margin of maneuver.
44:35This is why it is crucial
44:38not to underestimate Iran's relations
44:43with groups like the Polisario
44:46and regimes like Algeria,
44:49even if our attention is focused
44:52on other current fronts.
44:56Ilan, let's continue on this subject.
44:59How do you envisage the evolution
45:01of this extremist threat on the borders of Morocco?
45:04Do you think that the Polisario front
45:07could eventually become a source of concern for Algeria?
45:26I think this is a relevant question.
45:29Currently, we see that the Polisario
45:32is effectively used as a lever
45:35against normalization,
45:37whether by the Algerian government
45:39or powered by Iran.
45:41Indeed, the Polisario benefits from instability
45:44and the lack of significant dialogue
45:46between Morocco and Algeria.
45:48However, your question raises a crucial issue.
45:51The Polisario, as a left-wing extremist movement,
45:54is likely to turn against its own sponsors.
45:57As they say, the revolution
45:59often ends up devouring its own children.
46:01And the Polisario could become a threat
46:03not only to Morocco,
46:05but also to those who support it.
46:07This possibility deserves careful monitoring.
46:09Although, for the moment,
46:11the Polisario serves the interests of Algeria,
46:13if it becomes too powerful,
46:15especially with its ties with Iran,
46:17it could become a serious threat,
46:19even for Algeria itself.
46:25Thank you, Ilan.
46:27Chris Lappetina,
46:29in previous episodes,
46:31we examined in detail
46:33the terrorist threat
46:35that Iran represents
46:37and its expansionist ambitions,
46:39especially in North Africa.
46:41Do you believe that the Biden administration
46:43provides sufficient attention
46:45and adequate resources
46:47to this Iranian threat
46:49against our allies in the region,
46:51especially Morocco?
46:54Well, first, again, Mark,
46:56we've heard, we've learned so much
46:58in this show today,
47:00about the importance of Morocco
47:02not only as a crucial partner
47:04in the fight against extremism
47:06and terrorism,
47:08but also as a model of alliance
47:10for the United States
47:12and all of our allies
47:14that defend freedom.
47:16I don't know if the Biden administration
47:18provides sufficient attention
47:20to this question.
47:22I don't know if the Biden administration
47:24provides sufficient attention
47:26to the importance of Morocco,
47:28as we have all discovered today.
47:30However, I am encouraged
47:32by the fact that the Biden administration
47:34has taken a strong diplomatic position
47:36in support of Morocco
47:38in its difference with Algeria
47:40concerning the Moroccan Sahara.
47:42This is a significant step
47:44and I hope that this will be
47:46followed by increased support
47:48in the form of military,
47:50to further strengthen
47:52our bilateral relations.
47:54Thank you, Chris.
47:56So, we sent our filming crew
47:58to Washington, D.C.
48:00to gather the points of view
48:02of some of our fellow citizens
48:04on the measures taken
48:06to counter terrorism
48:08in the United States
48:10and beyond our borders.
48:12So, let's listen to their opinions.
48:14Yes, I don't believe
48:16that the United States
48:18is involved in the attack on Moscow.
48:20As for security in the United States,
48:22I would say that I feel safe.
48:24Of course, this does not mean
48:26that everything is perfect,
48:28but I feel a sense of security
48:30and I don't think
48:32that we are likely
48:34to be attacked by Russia.
48:36Hello, my name is Aaron Fletcher.
48:38I am convinced
48:40that we are completely safe.
48:42Our country has always been
48:44safe and well prepared.
48:46We have always been ready.
48:48It is common for other countries
48:50to accuse us of involving ourselves
48:52in matters that do not necessarily
48:54concern us.
48:56However, as long as we maintain
48:58our determination, I am confident
49:00that we can preserve our strength
49:02as it is now.
49:04My name is Jeff Smith.
49:06I am Jeff Smith,
49:08originally from Phoenix.
49:10Do I feel safer now
49:12than with the previous administration
49:14of President Trump?
49:16Absolutely, without a doubt.
49:18My name is Mary Smith.
49:20Personally, I feel a sense of security
49:22under the Biden administration
49:24compared to that of President Trump.
49:26However, I remain aware
49:28that changes must be made.
49:30Although there are still concerns
49:32about security, I am confident
49:34that President Biden manages
49:36the situation effectively.
49:38Elan, to what extent
49:40can we use the Internet
49:42to protect future generations
49:44from threats related to extremism?
49:48As a result of social media,
49:50as a result of...
49:52Listen, socialization
49:54has a significant impact
49:56on our perspectives.
49:58The media powered by artificial
50:00intelligence algorithms
50:02often amplify extremist messages.
50:04In Morocco, important initiatives
50:06are being taken to modernize
50:08the teaching of moderate Islam
50:10and to make it accessible online
50:12in order to compete in this field.
50:16However, Morocco is not alone
50:18in this process.
50:20Other nations such as Egypt and Indonesia
50:22are also engaging in this way,
50:24recognizing the crucial importance
50:26of this sphere of action.
50:28Dear Abdullilah,
50:30the Internet offers a platform
50:32to share the teachings
50:34and the values of Islam
50:36in a positive way.
50:38So, how do you utilize
50:40this tool to promote
50:42the true principles of Islam
50:44in a positive way?
50:46We use the Internet
50:48to defend and try to explain
50:50that Islam is not a terrorist religion.
50:52Rather than generalizing
50:54terrorism, we illustrate
50:56that a terrorist can be a Christian,
50:58a Jew, a Hindu, or any other
51:00confession. We address this issue
51:02in an inclusive way.
51:04When we preach online,
51:06we have the responsibility
51:08as American Muslims to highlight
51:10our children and grandchildren.
51:12Why then, when the United States
51:14is often described as Judeo-Christian,
51:16exclude Muslims who represent
51:18more than 15 million people here?
51:22We are already at the end
51:24of this program.
51:26Thank you for your attention.
51:28Thank you also to our guests
51:30Laurence Korb, Norman Rule,
51:32Mohamed Abdullilah, Ilan Berman,
51:34as well as our friend and
51:36columnist Chris Lapetina.
51:38Thank you all for your
51:40precious contributions.
51:42My thanks also go to our
51:44correspondent, Jian Mansour,
51:46and our entire production team,
51:48directed by our director and producer
51:50Mohamed Saidi Al-Wafi.
51:52I would also like to wish you
51:54a happy holiday in this Ramadan
51:56and I will see you next week
51:58for a new episode with Morocco
52:00from Washington.
52:04Music.
52:06Music.
52:08Music.
52:10Music.
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