The United Arab Emirates is the only Arab country robustly pursuing space diplomacy. This new-age cooperation has taken the form of KhalifaSat – a marvellous feat of engineering and the first Emirati satellite, built with the help of South Korea and scheduled to be launched on Monday from Japan.
As part of the UAE's broader space plan, the first Emirati astronaut will blast into space in April 2019 aboard a spacecraft piloted by the Russia Federal Space Agency, Roscosmos. Shortly after, in 2020, the Emirates Mars Mission's spacecraft will be launched from a Japanese rocket.
The KhalifaSat project falls within the realm of expanding institutionalised channels of consultation that could enhance co-operation in international relations. It is estimated that about 80 countries are now using space, either on their own or in partnership, to further individual or collective interests.
In the earliest examples of space diplomacy, the United States and the erstwhile Soviet Union focused their efforts on convincing others of their capabilities and their utilities. This meant goodwill tours of cosmonauts, astronauts and space hardware.
As part of this effort, Yuri Gagarin travelled the world after his 1961 journey to space. Meanwhile, Nasa and the US State Department teamed up in 1962 to send the Friendship 7 spacecraft on a world tour.
Other prominent examples include the United States using LandSat satellites to deliver spectacular scientific images of the Earth to many countries and helping a Saudi Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud become the first Arab in space in 1985. The Soviet Union also flew the Indian cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma to space in 1984.
With Asia entering the fray in recent times, space technology-based foreign assistance is likely to become an increasingly important tool to strengthen international relationships. Most of the Asian satellites are aimed at improving connectivity and the delivery of public services. They are launched by a few countries on behalf of others that lack technological or financial capabilities to do so themselves.
The benefits include paving the way for direct-to-home television, internet connectivity, tele-education, telemedicine and emergency management support during natural disasters. These satellites are also capable of aiding meteorological applications, fishing and agricultural advisory notices, and natural resource mapping.
China, India, Japan and South Korea are the most influential players in this domain. These nations are increasingly using space diplomacy as an out-of-the box foreign policy tool. While China is opening the doors to foreign astronauts, India is offering communication transponders to its neighbours through the South Asian Satellite programme.
These examples show that several different varieties of space diplomacy are at play around the world. First, it is a tool of prestige or soft power, as demonstrated, for example, by the United States and China showcasing their achievements.
Second, it is used as an instrument of foreign assistance, which also provides a significant boost in terms of soft power, as India is attempting to achieve.
Third, it can be targeted at generating support from other countries for the development of a country’s own domestic space programmes, as is evident in the efforts of Russia, Europe, Japan and the UAE.
Fourth, it can provide a way to promote commerce in science and technology. India is pursuing this model of creating new markets for the space industry by developing satellites and ground facilities for emerging countries. Japan, in particular, is seeking to achieve a balance between commerce and its own security interests. China, meanwhile, is keen to use satellite technology to create “a digital Silk Road”.
Finally, space diplomacy is being used as an effort to push for an active role in the governance of space as a shared global commons, dealing with issues such as managing increasing satellite debris and the militarisation of space.
As balance-of-power equations are reconfigured, there is evidence that in the future international political security competition in space may supersede other considerations. The fact that more and more countries are entering the fray means that the scope for co-operative initiatives may be curtailed. For now, however, there are ample notable space-related soft-power developments in Asia that should be celebrated.
Moving ahead, the UAE should consider building on the September 2018 announcement of a new Federal law on the regulation of the space sector, which aims to “open up the space sector to investment, research and partnership building”.
As a result, the UAE has a number of policy options to consider. It could invest directly in space programmes of other countries, and even in the new international private initiatives in the space transport sector. There is also the possibility of becoming a stakeholder in the space service delivery systems of other countries, especially for the benefit of developing nations.
On the other hand, it is possible that the UAE may choose to take the lead in collaborating with one or more Gulf countries to establish a regional space agency to encourage research and regional cooperation. Similarly, it could host a forum of key players in the space exploration domain to avoid non-constructive competition, or arrange a meeting to discuss governance of space as a global commons.
The UAE could even appoint a space ambassador to spearhead the country’s explorations of this new frontier in diplomacy.
Dr N Janardhan is Senior Research Fellow, Gulf-Asia Programme, Emirates Diplomatic Academy. This article is an abridged version of a research paper titled Space Diplomacy in Asia’s Orbit
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
TICKETS
For tickets for the two-day Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) event, entitled Dubai Invasion 2019, on September 27 and 28 go to www.meraticket.com.
Quick%20facts
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Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
Match info
Australia 580
Pakistan 240 and 335
Result: Australia win by an innings and five runs
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
At Eternity’s Gate
Director: Julian Schnabel
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen
Three stars
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Neo%20Mobility%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20February%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abhishek%20Shah%20and%20Anish%20Garg%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Logistics%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Delta%20Corp%2C%20Pyse%20Sustainability%20Fund%2C%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
The%20specs
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Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Squads
India (for first three ODIs) Kohli (capt), Rohit, Rahul, Pandey, Jadhav, Rahane, Dhoni, Pandya, Axar, Kuldeep, Chahal, Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar, Umesh, Shami.
Australia Smith (capt), Warner, Agar, Cartwright, Coulter-Nile, Cummins, Faulkner, Finch, Head, Maxwell, Richardson, Stoinis, Wade, Zampa.
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
Ultra processed foods
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
