Mike Pompeo will tour Middle East capitals next week in an effort to shore up crucial alliances strained by the Yemen war and US plans to exit Syria. AFP
Mike Pompeo will tour Middle East capitals next week in an effort to shore up crucial alliances strained by the Yemen war and US plans to exit Syria. AFP

Here's everywhere US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel on his Middle East tour

His schedule will take him to Amman, Cairo, Manama, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Muscat, and Kuwait City

The National

January 08, 2019

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo set off on his eight-day Middle Eastern tour on Tuesday, his first international trip in 2019 and a visit in which he will seek to reassure Gulf allies about America's commitment to the region.

He will travel to Amman, Cairo, Manama, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Muscat, and Kuwait City, according to the State Department website.

Key issues on his agenda are efforts to end the war in Yemen, uniting the Gulf Cooperation Council, building the Middle East Strategic Alliance and brokering peace in Afghanistan.

He will also reassure allies that the US is not leaving the Middle East, as President Trump's surprise withdrawal of troops from Syria might indicate.

Here is Mike Pompeo's full schedule for his Middle East tour:

Amman, Jordan

The Secretary of State lands in Jordan on Tuesday to discuss bilateral co-operation. He will discuss US-Jordanian relations and the situation in Syria and Jordanian-Iraqi trade.

Cairo, Egypt

Mr Pompeo will meet Egyptian leaders to discuss Iran, Gaza and counter-terrorism. Here, Mr Pompeo will deliver a speech on peace, prosperity, stability and security in the Middle East. He is also reportedly set to rebuke the Middle East vision of President Donald Trump's predecessor Barack Obama.

Manama, Bahrain

Leaders will discuss US-Bahraini co-operation and the use of the Middle East Strategic Alliance to counter Iranian aggression.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

While in Abu Dhabi, Mr Pompeo will meet the UAE's leaders and discuss regional and bilateral co-operation, particularly increasing ties in areas of trade and investment.

Maintaining the peace deal agreed to  in Sweden on the war in Yemen will also be on the agenda. The leaders will discuss support for Martin Griffiths, the UN Special Envoy to Yemen.

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Read more:

Pompeo set for Gulf tour to reassure allies on Iran and Yemen

Pompeo message for allies: US is not leaving Middle East

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Doha, Qatar

Discussions will focus on US-Qatari co-operation, peace in Afghanistan , the importance of the GCC and countering Iran's policies in the region.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Mr Pompeo will meet Saudi leaders to discuss Yemen, Iran and Syria. They will discuss boosting the work of UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths and discuss the future of Yemen. The Secretary will also ask for an update on the investigation into the killing of Jamal Khashoggi.

Muscat, Oman

Talks will focus on increased regional and bilateral co-operation, promoting regional peace, particularly in Yemen. There will also be discussion of the Middle East Strategic Alliance and a united GCC.

Kuwait City, Kuwait

Mr Pompeo will lead the third US-Kuwaiti Strategic Dialogue, focusing on areas of defence, cybersecurity and strengthening economic ties. Leaders will also discuss a united GCC and UN-led efforts in Yemen.

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

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

RESULT

Bayern Munich 5 Eintrracht Frankfurt 2
Bayern: Goretzka (17'), Müller (41'), Lewandowski (46'), Davies (61'), Hinteregger (74' og)    
Frankfurt: Hinteregger (52', 55')

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

UAE currency
If you go

The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.

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