Egypt’s new Muslim Brotherhood President Mohammad Mursi has a lot of electoral promises to live up to. There’s an ailing economy to deal with, dwindling foreign reserves, growing unemployment, a drying-up of the tourist industry and a stagnation of foreign investments — each of which must be tackled first and tackled now. Read more »
UAE
Infinite possibilities for Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman conurbation
The tri-emirate DSA conurbation must ensure advanced close coordination in issues including fire prevention and fire fighting, pollution monitoring, road and vehicle safety, waste management, mass transit and road planning. More than anywhere else in the UAE, the challenges that the DSA face are common. The solutions must therefore also be common. Read more »
Political Islamists arouse suspicion in the UAE
The post-Arab Spring political scene has exposed the frailty of the ‘marriage of convenience’ between free-thinkers and conservatives. Liberals, the pioneers of the revolutions, have seen their influence dwindle due to their lack of organisation, with parties like the Muslim Brotherhood filling the vacuum. But swayed by electoral success, Islamists are alienating the people by going after plum political posts and seeking to impose curbs on personal freedom. Read more »
Prospects for More Dubai Bailouts
Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi talks with Bloomberg’s Margaret Brennan about Abu Dhabi’s agreement to provide $10 billion to help Dubai World avoid defaulting on a $4.1 billion bond payment, and the prospects for additional bailouts in Dubai. Read more »
How Urbanisation Is Changing Emirati Identity
On the one hand, urbanisation may turn out to be, as many fear, the fire that is slowly eating up Emirati culture, leaving many of us helpless to stop it and left wondering what will be left to salvage. On the other hand, it may be the Emirati culture’s best chance of survival in a globalized world. Read more »
A window on FNC political scenarios
I will attempt to shed some light on this emerging political scene by highlighting a number of “champions” who have both expressed their willingness to run as candidates for the upcoming Federal National Council elections and have a record of association with a specific cause that may be translated into active support for them in the parliament. I have identified four possible blocs: religionist, ultra-nationalist, business and liberal. Read more »