ABU DHABI // GCC nations need an even more coordinated and grounded effort to ensure the security of oil platforms and critical infrastructure, analysts have stressed.
The Middle East Homeland Security Summit, which ended yesterday, brought together experts in national security, critical infrastructure and defence from 14 nations to discuss possible dangers to the region.
The GCC faces threats including ballistic missiles and terrorism, but also from organised crime and radicals, said Nasser Al Buhairi, a security and strategic development consultant for the Kuwaiti government.
"Iraq, Iran and Yemen are the main sources of organised crime in the area," Mr Al Buhairi said.
He pointed to organisations involved in narcotic and human trafficking in the Middle East, as well as arms smuggling through the Horn of Africa and areas around the Gulf region.
Johan Obdola, the deputy director in Latin America of the International Association of Seaports and Airports Police, said operatives for Middle East terrorist organisations had been identified as far afield as South America.
"Hizbollah operatives have been spotted with Mexican drug cartels and there have been many indicators of links with others across South America," Mr Obdola said.
Latin America has become the new geopolitical hot zone for transnational organised crime, he said.
"The Iranian regime has a lot of influence in Latin America with countries like Venezuela, Bolivia and Brazil," Mr Obdola said. "Many governments and security organisations in South America now are looking into the Iranian involvement."
Any terrorist links need to be vigilantly watched for, he said, "especially with the situation that is happening with Iran and the international community - it can change for better or worse".
Yet despite the fear-mongering about Iran's arsenal of ballistic missiles, the weapons appear to be more for intimidating adversaries than for inflicting real damage, said Michael Elleman, the regional security expert from the International Institute of Strategic Studies.
"The Iranian missiles programme plays a major role in their intimidation capacity and creating national pride," said Mr Elleman.
He admitted Iran's missile inventory was the largest in the Middle East - second only to that of Israel - but said having that fire power was useless unless it was used to deliver nuclear bombs.
"The negative aspect of ballistic missiles is that if they are not carrying nuclear weapons they do not have much military use," said Mr Elleman, a missile engineer.
He said a one-tonne warhead would cause a damage radius of between 50 and 60 metres.
"With the accuracy of the missiles Iran has, half the time they land a kilometre away from the intended target," Mr Elleman said.
"In a best-case scenario, the probability is one in 100 that they would have an accurate missile strike on to a strategic target like a bridge or an airbase. In reality, it's more but more like one in 1,000."
To strike one target accurately, Iran would need to send out between 300 and 800 missiles, he said, which is much more than they have.
Other experts were more cautious and warned of the Iranian capability to cause damage to critical national infrastructure.
An Iranian attack on Kuwait's Al Ahmadi oil pump station in 1987 was a clear example of the vulnerability of critical infrastructure around the GCC, Mr Al Buhairi said.
"During that attack, 70 per cent of Kuwait's oil export capability was crippled," he said.
amustafa@thenational.ae
Company%20Profile
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Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
BlacKkKlansman
Director: Spike Lee
Starring: John David Washington; Adam Driver
Five stars
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Barbie
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30, December 1-2
International Vets
Christina Noble Children’s Foundation fixtures
Thursday, November 30:
10.20am, Pitch 3, v 100 World Legends Project
1.20pm, Pitch 4, v Malta Marauders
Friday, December 1:
9am, Pitch 4, v SBA Pirates
What is type-1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.
It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.
Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.
Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.
RESULTS
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The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
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The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
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Price: Dh325,125
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Match info
Premier League
Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
Arsenal 2 (Mustafi 26', Rojo 68' OG)
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”