On Tuesday, senior government leaders from our two nations gathered for the inaugural US-UAE Strategic Dialogue. We assessed the state of our ever-strengthening alliance, a partnership united in security, trade and culture that is rooted in shared priorities, common values and mutual aspirations.
Periodic strategic evaluations between nations are a healthy way to assess where our relationship stands and how it can be enhanced. Only close allies sharing a bond of trust and mutual respect engage in such honest conversations. This dialogue will create a framework to achieve optimal and mutually beneficial results now and long into the future. It will allow both countries to effectively organise and focus aspects of our partnership.
From our perspectives, as the US Ambassador in Abu Dhabi and the UAE Ambassador in Washington, the US-UAE relationship is flourishing and the outlook looks even brighter. This optimism is mutual because we see firsthand the benefits of this alliance as we engage Americans and Emiratis across the public and private sectors.
From the pursuit of regional peace, to trade and innovation, to co-operation in health care, education and the arts, this is a partnership that is both broad and deep. It touches countless aspects of American and Emirati life. A dynamic relationship spanning varied disciplines makes for a strong partnership and this confidence underpins our strategic alliance.
Through the US-UAE Strategic Dialogue, we will build upon our recent achievements. The Abraham Accords, facilitated by the US, reshaped the region in a bold and swift move. In the Middle East, we need more co-operation and less conflict, increased harmony and a reduction of hostility.
Vision and leadership allowed this breakthrough to occur, and the desire for collaboration in business and entrepreneurship between the dynamic economies of the UAE and Israel will benefit the neighbourhood. It is heartening that scientists and researchers from all three countries are collaborating to develop vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostic tests to address the coronavirus pandemic. The future possibilities are endless.
This historic development does not erase the regional dilemmas confronting our two nations. Weak governance, economic mismanagement and corruption in some Middle Eastern countries, coupled with destabilising efforts by foreign powers, threaten to undermine progress. Extremism, sectarianism and terrorism are alive and well in too many places.
This reality underscores the need for a close US-UAE security partnership to deter military threats. Our deep defence and intelligence relationship sends a clear message to adversaries that our bond is unshakeable. The UAE continues to assume an increased responsibility for shared security, while the US maintains a vital role in regional efforts. Joint planning, training and military exercises between our armed forces enhance our mutual national security obligations. For the UAE, it is a source of tremendous pride that Emirati troops have participated with the US in six military coalitions and that 5,000 American military personnel are stationed in the Emirates.
The US and UAE have been aptly described as “essential business partners”. In 2019, with bilateral trade exceeding $24 billion and exports to the UAE supporting 120,000 American jobs, our commercial alignment creates prosperity through trade, investment and employment. Last year, the US had a $15.7bn trade surplus with the Emirates – America’s third largest globally. The expanding UAE knowledge and innovation-based economy, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence, is a particularly fertile space. It is our belief that increased collaboration will drive job growth, spur business opportunities and empower the up-and-coming generation of entrepreneurs.
Meanwhile, best-in-class US institutions are opening hubs of activity in the UAE. Since its establishment in 2015, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is revolutionising the delivery of health care in the country while Mayo Clinic’s joint venture with Abu Dhabi Health Services Company serves as an example to other organisations looking to collaborate in key sectors. New York University Abu Dhabi attracts talented students throughout the world and is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. US companies in the fields of aviation, civil nuclear energy, renewables, space exploration, food security and life sciences understand the necessity of establishing operations in the UAE. Cultural institutions similarly see the emergence of a regional arts capital, and collaborations between local organisations and the Smithsonian Institution underscore this theme.
From the pursuit of regional peace, to trade and innovation, to co-operation in health care, education and the arts, this is a partnership that is both broad and deep. It touches countless aspects of American and Emirati life
Finally, the strategic dialogue will include an effort to strengthen the US-UAE human rights partnership by exchanging best practices and jointly working to counter human trafficking, confront religious hatred and ethnic bigotry and protect and promote human rights on the domestic, regional and international levels. While political, security and commercial issues are integral to this strategic dialogue, the glue binding the alliance is values-based. Countries that empower women to lead government ministries, foster peaceful religious co-existence and respect cultural diversity are thriving societies.
This joint perspective is the basis for our shared optimism about the future of the US-UAE relationship. In our meetings this week, we came together virtually from Abu Dhabi and Washington to write the next chapter in the story of our friendship, and to chart a course for continued prosperity and progress. The discussions to come will be forward-looking as we chart a course for a more prosperous and secure future, building upon a nearly 50-year-old bilateral relationship.
Yousef Al Otaiba is the UAE ambassador to the US. John Rakolta, Jr is the US ambassador to the UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
WISH
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chris%20Buck%2C%20Fawn%20Veerasunthorn%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ariana%20DeBose%2C%20Chris%20Pine%2C%20Alan%20Tudyk%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S
Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm
Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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PROFILE BOX
Company name: Overwrite.ai
Founder: Ayman Alashkar
Started: Established in 2020
Based: Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai
Sector: PropTech
Initial investment: Self-funded by founder
Funding stage: Seed funding, in talks with angel investors
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 5
Keita 1', Mane 23', 66', Salah 45' 1, 83'
Huddersfield 0
Have you been targeted?
Tuan Phan of SimplyFI.org lists five signs you have been mis-sold to:
1. Your pension fund has been placed inside an offshore insurance wrapper with a hefty upfront commission.
2. The money has been transferred into a structured note. These products have high upfront, recurring commission and should never be in a pension account.
3. You have also been sold investment funds with an upfront initial charge of around 5 per cent. ETFs, for example, have no upfront charges.
4. The adviser charges a 1 per cent charge for managing your assets. They are being paid for doing nothing. They have already claimed massive amounts in hidden upfront commission.
5. Total annual management cost for your pension account is 2 per cent or more, including platform, underlying fund and advice charges.
TRAINING FOR TOKYO
A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:
- Four swim sessions (14km)
- Three bike sessions (200km)
- Four run sessions (45km)
- Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
- One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
- Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.
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Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20myZoi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Syed%20Ali%2C%20Christian%20Buchholz%2C%20Shanawaz%20Rouf%2C%20Arsalan%20Siddiqui%2C%20Nabid%20Hassan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2037%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Initial%20undisclosed%20funding%20from%20SC%20Ventures%3B%20second%20round%20of%20funding%20totalling%20%2414%20million%20from%20a%20consortium%20of%20SBI%2C%20a%20Japanese%20VC%20firm%2C%20and%20SC%20Venture%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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 White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
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