Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit with other Gulf leaders in Riyadh on December 14. Saudi Royal Palace / AFP
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit with other Gulf leaders in Riyadh on December 14. Saudi Royal Palace / AFP
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit with other Gulf leaders in Riyadh on December 14. Saudi Royal Palace / AFP
Raghida Dergham is the founder and executive chairwoman of the Beirut Institute, and a columnist for The National
December 19, 2021
We still do not know how the Vienna nuclear talks will evolve between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany, or the so-called "P5+1"countries, as they seek to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear accord.
Today, a deal appears to be impeded, contrary to the wishes of those who wanted it to be concluded before the end of the year. Germany, France and Britain have moved from being something of a confident driver, who is trusted by the two main parties, Iran and the US, to being accused of losing direction, especially by Iran and Russia.
China seems less engaged in the talks. Instead, it appears preoccupied with strengthening its multi-layered relations with the Arab Gulf states, without wanting to lose its Iranian ally, to which it is bound by a 25-year economic and security pact.
In the US, the Biden administration comes across as embarrassed and anxious, between its insistence on striking a deal with the Iranian government and its predicament, led by Iran's insistence to lift all sanctions in one go and refusing additional controls over its nuclear programme.
In the meantime, the Arab Gulf states are weaving stronger economic, security and strategic relations among themselves in multiple ways: by diversifying their international partnerships, strengthening security agreements, confronting Iran peacefully but together and pursuing pragmatic positions on regional crises, led by those of Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.
A meeting of the joint commission on negotiations to revive the Iran nuclear deal in Vienna, Austria, on December 9. EU delegation in Vienna/ AFP
On the Yemen issue, there has been a shift in Gulf positions intersecting with UN, US and international efforts. The Gulf states are willing to accept the Houthis as a party to the peace settlement in Yemen and to a Yemeni government produced as an outcome of negotiations.
Iran and Hezbollah are resisting this shift because it would deny them the ability to shape Yemen’s fate by leveraging the Houthis. The Houthis, however, are starting to think of the benefits of an international solution that allows them to participate in government, and turn the humanitarian tragedy in Yemen into a project for salvation, recovery and reconstruction. The shift is still in its infancy. But it has begun in earnest, with the participation of the major powers and amid a major transformation in the Gulf positions, especially in Saudi Arabia.
An attack against any GCC member states is an attack on all GCC states
The polarising and emotional US position on Yemen, especially in relation to Saudi Arabia, has contributed to the bitter confusion in Yemen. The US position has given misleading signs to the Houthis, Iran and Hezbollah. Successive US administrations have even withheld intelligence from the Saudi-led coalition that could have helped reduce casualties and military errors. To date, internal US polarisation is hindering a rational US policy vis-a-vis Yemen. It is shackling the Biden administration, which has already prevaricated in its policies in the Arab world.
The Biden administration’s hasty decision to remove sanctions on the Houthis has emboldened the Yemeni rebels, giving them a boost of impunity and self-confidence, along with military supplies from Iran and Hezbollah. As a result, the Houthis have seized large parts of Yemen.
The Biden administration must empower its envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking, and stop holding him back over concerns for the nuclear talks or even fears from Iran. To end the political and humanitarian crisis in Yemen, the UN envoy to Yemen, in co-ordination with the US envoy, is slated to present a new roadmap early next year.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets US special envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking. SPA
At the same time, Oman and other Arab Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are discussing a working plan with Yemeni parties, seeking to rally them behind a new proposal.
The basis of this new proposal is the development in Gulf positions, which sees that there can be no peaceful settlement without the Houthis. Therefore, the equation seeking full defeat for any of the parties is no longer on the table – neither for the states supporting the internationally recognised government of Yemen or the Houthis. The international community has agreed on a ceasefire as a starting point. The Arab Gulf states have accepted Houthi participation in a new regime in Yemen through elections. Not long ago, the Arab position was to insist on defeating the Houthis and supporting the so-called legitimate government in Yemen exclusively. Today, the talk is all about power sharing.
The new thinking outside the box could thwart Iran and Hezbollah in Yemen, by moving Yemen towards power-sharing and a political settlement to end the war. A question here is: Will the Houthis cut loose Hezbollah and Iran in view of the international and Gulf commitment to a plan that stops the destruction and bloodletting, and puts forward a roadmap for Yemen’s recovery? Or will they choose Iran and Hezbollah over Yemen? Another question is: Will there be a "carrot", or a reward, for stopping the war through participating in government and injecting funds into Yemen? And will there be a "stick", through imposing sanctions on the Houthis, in the event of failure – while letting Hezbollah and Iran understand that the Biden administration has adopted a clear policy, and is ready for decisive accountability beyond the Vienna talks?
The Arab Gulf states are moving towards a strategy to exit the war in Yemen with international partnership. At the same time, they are adopting pragmatic measures to put the Gulf house back in order, following an earlier rift between them. This much was clear during the the six-nation GCC summit in Saudi Arabia this week and the final communique that was issued. Important joint statements were issued following visits by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman shortly before the summit.
Among the most important points of the communique was: proclaiming that an attack against any GCC member states is an attack on all GCC states. In the past, individual sovereignty trumped collective action, but today, there is willingness for a flexible definition of sovereignty, to achieve collective security action that requires some compromise, yet not the surrender of sovereignty.
The six member states of the GCC understand that the shift in US positions on the Gulf and Iran requires them to safeguard their security collectively, in case of both a US-Iranian agreement or a non-agreement. In recent years, Iran has adopted the tactic of seeking bilateral talks with Gulf states, in a bid to disrupt their joint action against it. Now, there is awareness in the Gulf of the need for solidarity and unified positions against Iran. This has followed from increased distrust of Tehran, due to its regional policies that undermine Gulf security, from Yemen to Lebanon.
The GCC summit saw Gulf leaders mark their new priorities that stem from the adoption, by young leaders, of modernisation and technological adaptation. These leaders enjoy strong economic ties and personal harmony among themselves that outsiders sometimes do not understand well and are quick to misinterpret as rivalry. But in truth, the competition, not rivalry, between young Gulf leaders focusses on technology, developments and bringing prosperity to their cities and states. This is a healthy, logical and modern way of thinking.
Meanwhile, the concept of strategic security requires integration. It requires a shift away from exclusive reliance on the US, whether it is the Carter Doctrine or the policies of US President Joe Biden. Such realisations have nudged the Gulf states towards collective self-reliance and diversification of friendships and partnerships, to include China, India, Europe and others.
The GCC states have drawn for themselves the scope of their involvement in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, making it clear that their priorities lie, first and foremost, in the Gulf.
Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
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- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Friday Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (Kick-off midnight UAE)
Saturday Levante v Getafe (5pm), Sevilla v Real Madrid (7.15pm), Atletico Madrid v Real Valladolid (9.30pm), Cadiz v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday Granada v Huesca (5pm), Osasuna v Real Betis (7.15pm), Villarreal v Elche (9.30pm), Alaves v Real Sociedad (midnight)
Monday Eibar v Valencia (midnight)
Fight card
Preliminaries:
Nouredine Samir (UAE) v Sheroz Kholmirzav (UZB); Lucas Porst (SWE) v Ellis Barboza (GBR); Mouhmad Amine Alharar (MAR) v Mohammed Mardi (UAE); Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) v Spyro Besiri (GRE); Aslamjan Ortikov (UZB) v Joshua Ridgwell (GBR)
Main card:
Carlos Prates (BRA) v Dmitry Valent (BLR); Bobirjon Tagiev (UZB) v Valentin Thibaut (FRA); Arthur Meyer (FRA) v Hicham Moujtahid (BEL); Ines Es Salehy (BEL) v Myriame Djedidi (FRA); Craig Coakley (IRE) v Deniz Demirkapu (TUR); Artem Avanesov (ARM) v Badreddine Attif (MAR); Abdulvosid Buranov (RUS) v Akram Hamidi (FRA)
Title card:
Intercontinental Lightweight: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) v Angel Marquez (ESP)
Intercontinental Middleweight: Amine El Moatassime (UAE) v Francesco Iadanza (ITA)
Asian Featherweight: Zakaria El Jamari (UAE) v Phillip Delarmino (PHI)
Red flags
Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened. He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia. Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”. Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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HOSTS
T20 WORLD CUP
2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland
ODI WORLD CUP
2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and Bangladesh
CHAMPIONS TROPHY
2025: Pakistan; 2029: India
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
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3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
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6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,400m. Winner: Rio Angie, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer).
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
