Syria's downing of Turkish fighter sends a signal and regional conflict is now closer than ever
Turkish-Syrian relationships have known their ups and downs throughout the past four decades, but not once have they reached the point of shooting down planes, said Abdel Bari Atwan, editor-in-chief of the pan-Arab newspaper Al Quds Al Arabi.
On Friday, a Turkish Phantom F-4 jet was directly hit by Syrian anti-air defences on the claim that it had violated air space over Syrian territorial waters. The jet's pilots are still missing.
"This means, we may be on the verge of a regional war," commented the writer.
The Syrian command may have used the incident to address strong messages to more than one party and demonstrate its power and preparedness for war.
The targeting of the jet serves indeed as a warning to the Turkish authorities, and indeed any other countries that champion the revolution, against offering further support to the Syrian opposition and especially against allowing extremist Islamic militants to cross into Syria territories.
The attack, from Syria's point of view, could also be used as a deterrent for Nato and especially the US. It confirms that Syria isn't weak and that any use of force against it would be risky.
The incident came at an opportune time for Damascus, which has been searching for a development to downplay the momentum the opposition gained last week when a pilot defected to Jordan with his MiG 21 jet.
"Surely, the Syrian command didn't commit such an escalatory action without prior consultation with its Russian allies," said Atwan. "Less than a week before the decisive Friends of Syria meeting in Paris, the Syrian regime is purposefully pestering Turkey, the former ally that would spearhead any foreign military intervention to bring down the regime."
But will Damascus succeed in pulling Ankara, and consequently Washington, into a pre-emptive war at this critical time? That remains to be seen.
The Turkish response to the affront was blurred, just as it was to the intensified Syrian support for the Kurdish Labour Party that has been increasing its attacks on Turkish forces recently.
"The Syrian regime is currently behaving like a cornered cat. By downing the Turkish jet, it may have intended to export its mounting crises as a way to relieve pressure internally," opined the writer.
Mr Assad's grip on security in his country is gradually waning as the uprising continues to spread and has reached the heart of Damascus, the political capital, and Aleppo, the commercial capital.
In light of the collapse of Kofi Annan's plan that failed to put a stop to military operations, and the disintegration of the international monitors' mission, regional conflict is closer than ever. In fact, it may have already begun. Syria is witnessing a proxy war between the US and its allies on one hand and Russia and its allies on the other.
United front in Egypt is light at end of tunnel
Finally, there is some light at the end of the tunnel in Egypt, with a united front formed against the ruling military council's power grab, wrote Fahmi Huwaidi in the Cairo-based daily Al Shorouk.
For the front of national forces to recognise the importance of unity at this critical time, to face the counter-revolution, is of paramount importance.
"Egypt can never get off the ground, nor can the revolution achieve its objectives, unless all honourable citizens join forces … to save the country from militarisation," the writer noted.
No faction had to cede its political platform, but all parties agreed on postponing their issues and found a common ground on combating the old regime's return "in disguise".
Now the confusion is cleared up, and no one will be excused to stand on the fence. This is "not about a power struggle between the military council and the Brotherhood … but about a pitched battle between the revolution and the counter-revolution".
"If you sill doubt that it is literally about a pitched battle, then keep track of the remnants-run media, and of how fiercely and wickedly they fought the battle to achieve their goals of morally assassinating the general staff of the revolutionary camp."
The national front has succeeded in rising above mistakes and differences, and rally around a goal, but it has to step up efforts to accomplish its ambitions.
Sudan, too, is moving into an 'Arab Autumn'
What is unfolding these days in Sudan means that another country is en route to an "Arab Autumn", wrote columnist Hashim Abduh Hashim in yesterday's edition of Saudi newspaper Okaz.
"The problem of the Sudanese can be summed up in poverty," the writer said.
But this plague finds its sources in several other issues. Parties and political alliances have failed, since independence in 1956, to work for the people.
Successive governments have taken advantage of the people, and failed to use the country's resources and strategic location to seal good transactions with other countries.
Also detrimental is the plague of infighting that is still on the rise, not only between governments but also among political parties and ideological alliances.
For their part, the Arab states did little to help Sudan get out of trouble and use its resources.
"I recall my meeting with former president Gaafar Nimeiry in 1982. 'You are sitting on a treasure chest while the Sudanese suffer,' I said. 'Arabs are right there,' he guffawed.
"Today, I hope that the situation which has already reached a tipping point won't get worse," the writer continued. "Political forces have no choice other than to join efforts to serve the interests of the Sudanese people."
* Digest compiled by The Translation Desk
translation@thenational.ae
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Company%20profile
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The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
The specs: 2019 BMW X4
Price, base / as tested: Dh276,675 / Dh346,800
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 354hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,550rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.0L / 100km
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Company name: Farmin
Date started: March 2019
Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: AgriTech
Initial investment: None to date
Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Company%20Profile
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FIGHT CARD
Sara El Bakkali v Anisha Kadka (Lightweight, female)
Mohammed Adil Al Debi v Moaz Abdelgawad (Bantamweight)
Amir Boureslan v Mahmoud Zanouny (Welterweight)
Abrorbek Madaminbekov v Mohammed Al Katheeri (Featherweight)
Ibrahem Bilal v Emad Arafa (Super featherweight)
Ahmed Abdolaziz v Imad Essassi (Middleweight)
Milena Martinou v Ilham Bourakkadi (Bantamweight, female)
Noureddine El Agouti v Mohamed Mardi (Welterweight)
Nabil Ouach v Ymad Atrous (Middleweight)
Nouredin Samir v Zainalabid Dadachev (Lightweight)
Marlon Ribeiro v Mehdi Oubahammou (Welterweight)
Brad Stanton v Mohamed El Boukhari (Super welterweight
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
THE BIO:
Sabri Razouk, 74
Athlete and fitness trainer
Married, father of six
Favourite exercise: Bench press
Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn
Power drink: A glass of yoghurt
Role model: Any good man
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5