The turmoil in Egypt and the civil war in Syria have injected an unusual note of candour between Saudi Arabia and the United States, as the two allies find themselves on opposite sides of the region's big strategic questions.
Many policymakers and regional experts in Washington have been surprised by Saudi Arabia's public positions on Egypt and Syria that are at odds with those of the US.
Saudi Arabia, like many other GCC states, has staunchly backed the interim government in Egypt, while US officials have begun to express alarm about developments there.
Saudi officials have also recently said that a military strike against the Assad regime over its alleged use of chemical weapons was not bold enough.
Riyadh and Washington have had disagreements over the years, of course. But what is unusual this time, regional experts say, is that Saudi Arabia is airing its disagreements with the US openly.
"Historically the Saudis were willing to submerge their objections to American policy," said Charles Freeman, a former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia. "Now they don't feel that obligation."
There is no doubt that the two countries have common economic and defence interests that will tie them together for years to come, experts say. When it comes to regional affairs, however, Riyadh is striking a different tone.
Richard LeBaron, a former US ambassador to Kuwait, said that, due in part to their proximity, the kingdom views the crises in Egypt and Syria with more urgency than Washington. "There is a sense that the US doesn't recognise the immediacy of the issues in the same way the Gulf does," Mr LeBaron said.
The difference in tone between Riyadh and Washington recently has been most pronounced over Egypt.
After the former president, Mohammed Morsi was forced from office on July 3, Saudi Arabia and several other Arabian Gulf countries immediately announced their support for the interim government. Riyadh backed up its vocal expressions of support with US$5 billion (Dh18.3bn) in aid.
The US tentatively backed the new interim government, but after the deaths of at least 650 protesters in clashes with police in July and last month during demonstrations, several US politicians called for a suspension of US military aid.
In contrast, King Abdullah appeared on Saudi television on August 16, a day after one such clash, and declared that his country would stand "with our brothers in Egypt against terrorism, extremism and sedition". Three days later, the Saudi foreign minister, Saud Al Faisal, vowed that his country would offset any cuts in western aid.
The feisty tenor of such public declarations is a marked departure from the previous public exchanges between the two allies.
When Mr Freeman left his post as US ambassador to Saudi Arabia two decades ago, communications were typically mild-mannered, private and carried out at the highest levels.
It was "a dial-up relationship", recalled Mr Freeman, the US envoy to Riyadh from 1989 to 1992. "If there was a problem, the Saudis would call the US president or the national security adviser, and then we would fix the problem."
Under the Obama administration, Saudi officials have not enjoyed this nearly unfettered access to the top levels of the US government. Their dismay was compounded by what they viewed as the indecorous speed with which Washington withdrew its support from its longtime ally, Egypt, under president Hosni Mubarak, in early 2011.
Mr Morsi's visit to Tehran in August last year only confirmed what they viewed as the short-sightedness of Mr Obama's moves in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia's antipathy towards Iran also is at the heart of its differences with Washington over Syria, Tehran's closest Arab ally.
"Saudi preoccupation with Syria is a reflection of deep-rooted fear of Iran's rising influence," the Saudi historian, Madawi Al Rasheed, wrote in Al Monitor last week.
As peaceful protests against the government of president Bashar Al Assad evolved into civil war, Saudi Arabia saw a chance to roll back Iranian influence in the region. This geopolitical opportunity was met in Washington with the weariness wrought by two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The Saudis basically turned to the Americans and told them, 'Syria is our top issue', and the US wasn't responsive," said Emile Hokayem, Bahrain-based senior fellow at the International Institute for Security Studies.
Influential Saudis have argued that restricted missile strikes against the Syrian regime were not enough. "The proposed 'limited' strike will not change anything on the ground," wrote Jihad Al Khazen in the Saudi daily, Al Hayat, last week.
Frustrated by US policy, Saudi Arabia has begun to "diversify" its diplomacy, Mr Freeman said. Notably, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the Saudi intelligence chief, held talks with Mr Al Assad's ally, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in Moscow last month.
While holding opposite positions on Syria, Russia and Saudi Arabia do agree on Egypt, where both favour the interim government.
In the long term, analysts say, the US must prepare itself for changes in its ties with Saudi Arabia and other longtime regional allies.
"The region is going to act much more on their own" without Washington, said Mr Hokayem.
"The Americans are in for a very difficult time."
edickinson @thenational.ae
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
RESULTS
6.30pm: Handicap (rated 95-108) US$125,000 2000m (Dirt).
Winner: Don’t Give Up, Gerald Mosse (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap (95 ) $160,000 2810m (Turf).
Winner: Los Barbados, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
7.40pm: Handicap (80-89) $60,000 1600m (D).
Winner: Claim The Roses, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (Div-1) Conditions $100,000 1,400m (D)
Winner: Gold Town, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
8.50pm: Cape Verdi Group 2 $200,000 1600m (T).
Winner: Promising Run, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
9.25pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Conditions $100,000 1,400m (D).
Winner: El Chapo, Luke Morris, Fawzi Nass.
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Wednesday's results
Finland 3-0 Armenia
Faroes Islands 1-0 Malta
Sweden 1-1 Spain
Gibraltar 2-3 Georgia
Romania 1-1 Norway
Greece 2-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Liechtenstein 0-5 Italy
Switzerland 2-0 Rep of Ireland
Israel 3-1 Latvia
'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars
Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
Western Clubs Champions League:
- Friday, Sep 8 - Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Bahrain
- Friday, Sep 15 – Kandy v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
- Friday, Sep 22 – Kandy v Bahrain
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV
Power: 360bhp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh282,870
On sale: now
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JAPANESE GRAND PRIX INFO
Schedule (All times UAE)
First practice: Friday, 5-6.30am
Second practice: Friday, 9-10.30am
Third practice: Saturday, 7-8am
Qualifying: Saturday, 10-11am
Race: Sunday, 9am-midday
Race venue: Suzuka International Racing Course
Circuit Length: 5.807km
Number of Laps: 53
Watch live: beIN Sports HD
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
UAE v Ireland
1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets
2nd ODI, January 12
3rd ODI, January 14
4th ODI, January 16
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
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
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 1 Chelsea 0
De Bruyne (70')
Man of the Match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
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Company Profile
Company name: NutriCal
Started: 2019
Founder: Soniya Ashar
Based: Dubai
Industry: Food Technology
Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount
Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia
Total Clients: Over 50
The%20specs
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A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
