When John Gordon Lorimer died unexpectedly in 1914 the British Political Resident’s standing was such that flags in Gulf states were lowered.
To this day, both his encyclopaedic works on Arabia and his reputation remain in high esteem, such was his influence in informing the wider world from his postings, including a stint in Bahrain.
That goodwill extends to his great-grandson, named after the academic and diplomat, and who, a few generations on, remains on good terms with Gulf leaders.
Lt Gen Sir John Lorimer’s deep and personal history of the region inevitably took him on a military career that swirled around the Middle East, its conflicts, culture and people.
Nearly three years into the job as Britain’s Defence Senior Adviser to the Middle East, he has cemented strong relationships with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed as well as UAE defence ministers and military chiefs. In his role as Britain’s chief military and commercial ambassador to the Middle East, he also calls on the Emir of Kuwait, the King of Bahrain and Sultan of Oman.
It is a relationship that works well for both sides. Britain strengthens its military and business ties with the Gulf while providing reassurance that it remains a dependable ally.
'Virtual outreach'
Those ties have proven crucial during the pandemic that threatens the global economy.
Within hours of the lockdown being introduced Sir John was going through his contacts list and engaging with the leaders via WhatsApp, Skype and Zoom.
"I call this virtual outreach, to reassure all the countries across the region that the UK has not forgotten about them," he told The National, speaking via Zoom from his home in England. "We are still good friends and good partners despite the challenges of Covid. From our perspective, we've had a difficult time and they've been very sympathetic."
Indeed Britain’s ‘difficult time’ has seen it lose at least 43,000 people to the disease and 300,000 contracting it. When the UK was struggling at the height of the coronavirus crisis, with its hospitals almost overwhelmed, the UAE sent almost 100 tonnes of protective equipment and testing kits as well as allowing London’s Emirates Excel Arena to be used as a back-up hospital, where - by chance - Sir John’s wife worked as a volunteer.
“We have to say thank you for the support, specifically from UAE. They have been incredibly supportive, which is emblematic of the Emiratis.”
'Working together is so important'
The discussions on Covid-19 have allowed both sides to share information, lessons learnt and best practices in the “new world order” that the disease has hastily ushered in.
“It’s not just defence and security,” said Sir John. “It’s politics, the economy, humanitarian, health and education. And it’s psychological because a lot of people have gone through a really hard time. That’s why working together is so important.
“We have long-term partnerships and Covid is just another way we have to cooperate in the future and not ignore each other.”
Opportunities on the horizon
Britain’s relationship with the rest of the world is going to face a severe test when it leaves the European Union in 2021, with or without a trade deal. Downing Street is looking at new trading relationships and agreements and the Gulf is high on the agenda.
“Post-Brexit and post-Covid link together,” said Sir John, 57. “The UK is confident outward-looking, trusted and trusting partner with our friends in the region. Clearly we would wish to build on our shared history and interest with Gulf states.”
He added that Boris Johnson has a taken “a real interest in the Gulf” and has strong personal relationships with its leaders including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed. The Prime Minister is also working with the trade and defence secretaries “to push forward with a trade mission into the region”.
“The GCC is seventh-largest export market for the UK and clearly there are opportunities to expand on this post-Brexit.”
Britain’s connections run deeper than that. There are 120,000 British citizens living in the UAE and more than a million visit the Gulf each year. The Royal Family are also regular guests with the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge visiting just before lockdown. They too have kept in contact with the region during the pandemic.
Britain’s military involvement in the Gulf has seen it join the coalition that forced Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait in 1991 and the 2003 invasion that toppled the dictator. Sir John once again followed in his forebear’s path when he commanded a Parachute Regiment battalion in 2003 and British brigade in Basra in 2005.
With Iran increasing its military strength there is greater importance attached to the British defence industry, in particular the defence firm BAE Systems.
Sir John indicated that while business in lockdown was difficult, deals were still going ahead and contracts signed. Once travel restrictions are lifted the Ministry of Defence and Department for International Trade will work with industry to get into trade shows.
“UK firms are carrying on trying to do as much as they can. They are missing the face-to-face, sitting down and talking, although a lot of it can be done virtually. Because we have invested so much time in relationships we have a good foundation so we can progress it through virtual conversation and Skype. That highlights the strength of the relationship.”
Long summers and learning Arabic
For a man much endeared to the region, the job is an ideal fit. Travel takes him through the Maghreb, North Africa, then up into the Levant and the Gulf. Even before lockdown in March, this year he managed to visit Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Lebanon.
Perhaps guided by a strong Middle East tradition, Sir John opted to study Arabic and Islamic Studies at Cambridge University. Over the long summers, he travelled to the Middle East learning his Arabic in Egypt, which occasionally leads to unexpected reactions. “People sometimes raise their eyebrows because the Egyptian slang comes out although I do my best to raise my game.”
His travels gave rise to a fascination with the Arabic people, their traditions, history and culture. “All of that gives me a desire to make a difference in terms of between Britain and the region.”
He also enjoys its people, their manners and hospitality. “The personal relationships you are able to develop there are very special. It takes a bit of time, but once you get that relationship the people I deal with are incredibly generous, exceptionally good in terms of time and sharing their views.
“One of the most interesting things about the region is it’s so complex. For a non-Arab and non-Muslim, it’s difficult but I enjoy that challenge to try and understand what’s going on.”
After lockdown, Sir John will continue to visit the area where his great grandfather spent his career. His affinity is strong. As he says, “It’s in my blood.”
The years Ramadan fell in May
MATCH INFO
Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')
Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')
Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)
Quick%20facts
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ENGLAND SQUAD
Joe Root (captain), Dom Sibley, Rory Burns, Dan Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes (wicketkeeper), Moeen Ali, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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The biog
Name: Samar Frost
Born: Abu Dhabi
Hobbies: Singing, music and socialising with friends
Favourite singer: Adele
How to become a Boglehead
Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.
• Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.
• Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.
• Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.
• Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.
• Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.
• Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.
• Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don't try to second-guess them.
• Stick with it. Do not sell up in a market crash. Use the opportunity to invest more at the lower price.
What is tokenisation?
Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets.
Company Profile
Company name: OneOrder
Started: October 2021
Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Industry: technology, logistics
Investors: A15 and self-funded
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
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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
Closing the loophole on sugary drinks
As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.
The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed:
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'The Ice Road'
Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne
2/5
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
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE
UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.
Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.
Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.
For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.
Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.
At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
The results of the first round are as follows:
Qais Saied (Independent): 18.4 per cent
Nabil Karoui (Qalb Tounes): 15.58 per cent
Abdelfattah Mourou (Ennahdha party): 12.88 per cent
Abdelkarim Zbidi (two-time defence minister backed by Nidaa Tounes party): 10.7 per cent
Youssef Chahed (former prime minister, leader of Long Live Tunisia): 7.3 per cent
Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
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Baby Driver
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Lily James
Three and a half stars
RESULT
Leeds United 1 Manchester City 1
Leeds: Rodrigo (59')
Man City: Sterling (17')
Man of the Match: Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds)
Mane points for safe home colouring
- Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
- Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
- When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
- Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
- If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 3 (Kroos 4', Ramos 30', Marcelo 37')
Eibar 1 (Bigas 60')
'Morbius'
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
Rating: 2/5
The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
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