The UAE and Israel are poised to play the role of “regional influencers” across the spheres of economy and security, and even on the challenges posed by Iran-sponsored terrorism, according to leading think tank directors.
The signing of the Abraham Accords has been received as an act of “political courage and imagination”, a webinar heard. The accord also had the considerable economic potential for the wider Middle East, especially after Sudan, Oman and Morocco signed up.
“It's helping to set a new tone,” said John Raine, of the International Institute for Strategic Studies. “I think that Israel and its new partners have it within their powers to make each other both more secure and richer.”
With America pivoting towards the Indo-Pacific region there was also a possibility that the accords could make the two countries the “powerbrokers” in normalising regional politics.
“They could potentially be regional influencers in the Middle East in trying to powerbroker a number of regional conflicts [and] manage transnational threats from Islamic groups or non-state actors sponsored by Iran,” said Dr Sanam Vakil of Chatham House, the London-based think tank.
The Abraham Accords, signed six months ago, was arguably the most significant foreign policy achievement of the Trump administration leading to the normalisation of relations between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain.
“It has changed something which 10 or certainly 20 years ago looked as though it could never be changed,” said Mr Raine, a former British diplomat. "Let's not forget the potential financial and commercial relationships. We cannot but wish them well."
He considered that the military and economic power of Israel and the UAE could give the region confidence to have “strategic autonomy” following an American drawdown.
That would provide a strong alliance to act as a buffer against Iran’s ambitions, particularly as the Israelis viewed Tehran’s nuclear ambitions as the “principal threat” to regional stability.
“I think there is an understanding that everybody needs to live with each other whether they like it or not because, otherwise, they will get weaker and specifically under a Biden administration, there is maybe not the security umbrella anymore,” said Sebastian Sons of the Centre for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient.
The Centre for Geopolitics webinar also heard from Ms Vakil, a Middle East specialist, on the potential trade benefits. “What we're seeing in terms of trade and tourism, between the UAE and Israel in particular, that will spread beyond those two countries into others around the region.”
There was also a chance they could de-escalate tensions around the broader Middle East with moderation from Turkey and the Biden administration bringing calm. “There is a huge agenda for normalisation,” said Ms Vakil with Washington “shepherding the de-escalation” of the Yemen conflict and renegotiating a robust nuclear deal with Iran.
She also suggested that there had been a “generational shift” leading to a more “pragmatic, transactional national interest”.
“I see the UAE, in particular, taking the lead in this process,” she said. “It has a very robust and activist foreign policy and it sees itself as a role model for the broader Middle East.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWafeq%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJanuary%202019%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENadim%20Alameddine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Esoftware%20as%20a%20service%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%243%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERaed%20Ventures%20and%20Wamda%2C%20among%20others%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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
More on animal trafficking
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKinetic%207%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rick%20Parish%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Clean%20cooking%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Walls
Louis Tomlinson
3 out of 5 stars
(Syco Music/Arista Records)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
