Elon Musk’s Starlink constellation has transformed global connectivity. With thousands of satellites orbiting Earth, Starlink provides internet access to underserved and remote regions, often filling the gaps left by traditional communication infrastructure.
The global scale and significance of this network, however, has caused a debate over whether the owner of Tesla has the power to influence global geopolitics through Starlink, with its reach into conflict zones, rural areas and regions where governments may lack control over telecoms. Mr Musk's reach already extends worldwide through his ownership of media platform X which has also drawn criticism around the topic of moderating hate speech.
Connecting the world
By September 2024, SpaceX had launched more than 6,100 satellites, with the goal of eventually stationing 12,000 and potentially increasing that number to 42,000 satellites in low Earth orbit. It currently serves more than 70 countries, making it a critical tool in connecting millions of people around the world.
Amar Vora, head of the space division at Serco Middle East – a company that provides services and consultancy to the public and private sector – told The National that the billionaire’s influence through Starlink goes beyond merely bridging the digital divide.
“Elon Musk’s influence on global geopolitics is significant, particularly through the soft power he wields by providing communication in regions where access is limited or controlled,” he said.
“This influence has the potential to shape political outcomes or support movements that align with his values. The presence of Starlink could compel governments to align with Musk's business interests.”
Mr Vora said governments might feel pressured to align with Musk's business interests or broader geopolitical goals to secure or maintain access to its services. “This development challenges the traditional state-centric model of international relations, where global influence has predominantly been the domain of nation-states.”
Limited control
Despite Mr Musk’s far-reaching influence through Starlink, the programme operates under the control and regulations of the US government, and a licence is required in the country where it is operating, as well as access to ground terminals.
Michael Byers, Canada research chair in global politics and international law at the University of British Columbia, told The National that Starlink is licensed by federal authorities, which grants the US significant oversight of the satellite network’s operations.
This means that while Mr Musk holds substantial soft power through his global satellite communications, his control is not absolute.
“The United States government is SpaceX’s largest customer, whether for launches for Nasa and Space Force, travel to and from the International Space Station, or communications support from the Starlink mega-constellation of satellites,” said Mr Byers.
“The US government licenses the rocket and satellites and also controls market access to customers for Starlink in the United States. All this is to say that the US government has the ability to constrain and control SpaceX, if it wishes to do so.”
Access during conflict
Starlink’s presence in politically sensitive areas allows Mr Musk to act as a key intermediary in providing essential services. This was particularly relevant in Ukraine, where his satellite network has become a crucial tool during the continuing war with Russia.
In 2022, the Ukrainian government received more than 22,000 Starlink terminals, ensuring continued communication for civilians and military personnel despite Russia’s efforts to disrupt traditional communication systems.
Mr Musk had asked the US government to cover the costs of providing Starlink services in Ukraine, as SpaceX could no longer afford to fund the service independently, which reportedly cost $20 million a month to maintain. Last year, the Pentagon awarded a contract to the rocket company to continue the services in Ukraine.
Bound by US law
This reality shows how, despite Starlink’s growing geopolitical relevance, its operations remain deeply tied to US strategic interests.
This was evident when Mr Musk was unable to activate Starlink over Crimea during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Although the Ukrainian government requested Starlink access to support military operations in the region, Mr Musk was bound by US sanctions, which recognise Crimea as being under Russian control.
Scott Pace, director of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, told The National that Mr Musk would have been violating US law if he had activated Starlink over Crimea.
“Even though it's understandable that the Ukrainian government would ask Elon [to activate Starlink over Crimea], he could not do that without violating US law,” said Mr Pace, who served as the executive secretary of the White House's National Space Council after former US president Donald Trump nominated him in 2017.
Mr Musk was allowed to activate Starlink over Iran during the 2022 nationwide protests, despite the Iranian government's severe internet restrictions.
The protests were caused by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman who died in custody after being arrested by the country's “morality police” for allegedly violating the government's strict dress code.
Her death led to widespread protests, with citizens calling for greater rights and freedoms, particularly for women. Iran’s government imposed severe internet restrictions. In response, Mr Musk activated Starlink to provide internet access in the country, bypassing local censorship. Iran's government, however, took measures to block the satellite signals.
Meeting world leaders
Mr Musk’s international influence extends beyond technology as he frequently engages with political leaders, drawing attention to his role in shaping global discussions. This, however, is far from unprecedented.
“He’s a celebrity, and politicians meet with celebrities all the time,” said Mr Pace. “Some of them are sports and movie people that don’t have large communication systems.”
“We would have pictures of Henry Kissinger meeting with people decades after he stopped being a government employee. He was still a notable celebrity who would go and meet lots of people. If it was Taylor Swift meeting with prominent world leaders, would people care?”
Mr Musk has met several world leaders over the years, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, discussing topics such as technology investments and space co-operation.
While his political engagements may attract attention, they do not necessarily imply US government endorsement or a shift in geopolitical strategy, according to Mr Pace.
“The US government is probably not that thrilled with him meeting them, so I don’t think the government is using Elon Musk,” Mr Pace said. “If it was up to them, they would probably prefer he not, but he’s a US citizen, and he’s free to go and meet with whoever he wants.”
PROFILE
Name: Enhance Fitness
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 200
Amount raised: $3m
Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
SQUADS
South Africa:
JP Duminy (capt), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wkt), AB de Villiers, Robbie Frylinck, Beuran Hendricks, David Miller, Mangaliso Mosehle (wkt), Dane Paterson, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi
Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Imrul Kayes, Liton Das (wkt), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Taskin Ahmed
Fixtures
Oct 26: Bloemfontein
Oct 29: Potchefstroom
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France
Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines
Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.
Favourite Author: My father for sure
Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst
Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Omar%20Hilal%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Muhammad%20Farrag%2C%20Bayoumi%20Fouad%2C%20Nelly%20Karim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
Dubai World Cup draw
1. Gunnevera
2. Capezzano
3. North America
4. Audible
5. Seeking The Soul
6. Pavel
7. Gronkowski
8. Axelrod
9. New Trails
10. Yoshida
11. K T Brave
12. Thunder Snow
13. Dolkong
Afro%20salons
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFor%20women%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESisu%20Hair%20Salon%2C%20Jumeirah%201%2C%20Dubai%3Cbr%3EBoho%20Salon%2C%20Al%20Barsha%20South%2C%20Dubai%3Cbr%3EMoonlight%2C%20Al%20Falah%20Street%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFor%20men%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMK%20Barbershop%2C%20Dar%20Al%20Wasl%20Mall%2C%20Dubai%3Cbr%3ERegency%20Saloon%2C%20Al%20Zahiyah%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EUptown%20Barbershop%2C%20Al%20Nasseriya%2C%20Sharjah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The years Ramadan fell in May
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The Africa Institute 101
Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction.
Secret Nation: The Hidden Armenians of Turkey
Avedis Hadjian, (IB Tauris)
The bio
Favourite food: Japanese
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Favourite hobby: Football
Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE
88 Video's most popular rentals
Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.
Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.
Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Results
5pm: Al Falah – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bshara, Richard Mullen (jockey), Salem Al Ketbi (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Al Dhafra – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Mualami, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
6.30pm: Al Khaleej Al Arabi – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Hawafez, Adrie de Vries, Abubakar Daud
7pm: Al Mafraq – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi
7.30pm: Al Samha – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Patrick Cosgrave, Ismail Mohammed
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
