One man's Middle East is another's West Asia. The debate over semantics and what to call the region has been rumbling on for a long time but last weekend's G20 summit in Japan was a good time to assess the region's pivot to Asia.
Head-to-head battles between the US and China were the focus of the Osaka meeting.
The rivals seek a new equilibrium in trade and influence and there are consequences for all regional countries – especially for those allies of the US now seeking a broader relationship with the East.
Discussions on Iran and its threats to global energy security cannot be divorced from this context. Iran’s gamble that Asian customers will keep buying its oil as it is steamrollered by US sanctions is both a boon and hurdle as the rest of the region reaches out to Asia.
As US President Donald Trump has observed, America has become virtually energy self-sufficient while Asian countries are dependent on regional oil supplies. This has game-changing implications.
US officials say foreign businesses and investors will be forced to chose between America's vast markets and Iran's crisis-ridden crunch economy
A senior executive of a major Japanese conglomerate told a London conference this week that the imbalance was undeniable and should be acknowledged. As he said, Asian countries will need to deepen their engagement in regional security concerns.
At the same time, tensions with Iran mean Asian countries must prioritise their most reliable partners. The executive said it was imperative to work with the strategic economic plans of partner countries in the Middle East.
Yet the fear of tensions spiralling means there is short-term pressure to reduce exposure to regional forces. This means balancing geopolitical considerations is at the forefront of Asian concerns.
US officials reiterated last week that foreign businesses and investors would be forced to chose between America’s vast markets and Iran’s crisis-ridden crunch economy.
The US is thrilled with the impact of unilateral sanctions. Brian Hook, the US envoy, observed in a London briefing that these have been far more effective than a multilateral campaign to shut down Iran’s access to international trade.
There is still more pressure in the pipeline. Iran is still exporting in excess of 350,000 barrels of crude oil per day to Asia while Washington has a policy of penalising every customer of Iranian oil.
China has hinted that it will cautiously challenge this US objective, something that could trigger a renewed trans-Pacific confrontation.
These are the kind of immediate calculations that affect the region’s Asian relationships.
The policy profiles of big Asian states thus matter increasingly to Middle Eastern powers. The UAE is closely tied to the Indian economy and has burgeoning trade links with Japan. It also enjoys a close relationship with China. The significance of last year’s visit by Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, will be measured over decades, not mere months.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative creates a new dynamic for all countries that deal with the world’s biggest emerging economy.
Dozens of countries have make significant investment alliances with Beijing to unlock opportunities that would not be developed by market forces alone.
Look at the importance of the BRI to Pakistan, for example, or the economies of the Horn of Africa, all of which are strategically important to the UAE. For that reason, UAE companies have made ambitious plans to strengthen their involvement in the BRI.
It is not just developing economies that are deriving benefits from the BRI. Economists at the Chinese investment bank ICBC point out the City of London is a major source of finance for the ambitious scheme — alongside Hong Kong — even though the UK has not formally signed on as a BRI participant.
The challenge of exploiting the Arabian Gulf’s geographic position and commercial strengths is just the starting point when it comes to Asia. At the G20, the world’s most powerful economies will look forward to the first ever meeting in the Middle East next year. The relative positions of the US, China, Japan and India will provide the major themes of that meeting but within a local context. Judging by current trends, the US is likely to focus extra scrutiny on its allies' relationship with the Chinese at that time. As the region seeks to develop its digital economy, the partnership with all four countries will be vital to future prosperity.
Start-ups want to bring Silicon Valley skills to the Middle East. Tensions like the current fireworks are a distraction from the long-term agenda for these new businesses.
The figures for trade and investment with Asia look good. The bigger picture represents a balancing act of geopolitics and commercial might. The G20 is a window onto how co-operation benefits all. This year it allows Japan to showcase the advantages of working with its advanced businesses and services.
Working with its Asian partners allows the Middle East to access opportunities across the G20, something that will be highlighted at the Saudi Arabian meeting in November next year.
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
The specs
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Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Manchester United v Brighton, Sunday, 6pm UAE
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mumbai Indians 213/6 (20 ov)
Royal Challengers Bangalore 167/8 (20 ov)
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Bangladesh tour of Pakistan
January 24 – First T20, Lahore
January 25 – Second T20, Lahore
January 27 – Third T20, Lahore
February 7-11 – First Test, Rawalpindi
April 3 – One-off ODI, Karachi
April 5-9 – Second Test, Karachi
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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The specs: 2019 GMC Yukon Denali
Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 621Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.9L / 100km
11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
BLACKBERRY
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
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Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Indian construction workers stranded in Ajman with unpaid dues
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
TICKETS
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
Kalra's feat
- Becomes fifth batsman to score century in U19 final
- Becomes second Indian to score century in U19 final after Unmukt Chand in 2012
- Scored 122 in youth Test on tour of England
- Bought by Delhi Daredevils for base price of two million Indian rupees (Dh115,000) in 2018 IPL auction
Scoreline:
Manchester City 1
Jesus 4'
Brighton 0
The rules of the road keeping cyclists safe
Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads
Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike
They must place a number plate with reflective light to the back of the bike to alert road-users
Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance
They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 5
Keita 1', Mane 23', 66', Salah 45' 1, 83'
Huddersfield 0
The years Ramadan fell in May
ARGENTINA SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Agustin Marchesin, Esteban Andrada
Defenders: Juan Foyth, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Nicolas Tagliafico, Ramiro Funes Mori, Renzo Saravia, Marcos Acuna, Milton Casco
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Roberto Pereyra, Rodrigo De Paul, Angel Di Maria
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dybala, Matias Suarez
Rocketman
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Starring: Taron Egerton, Richard Madden, Jamie Bell
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
