We desperately need a visionary leader in the Arab world, monarch or republican, who steps aside and oversees in his lifetime a peaceful democratic transfer of power. That would truly be a “special case” that we could all be proud of. Read more »
A Jealous Wife’s Revenge Makes for Bad Law
Every once in a while, somewhere in the world, we come across a case that proves either overtly or implicitly that men can get away with things that women can’t. Read more »
I Don’t Want to Cause a Diplomatic Incident, But…
Members of the six UAE ruling families (who number in the thousands, many of them youngsters), members of the Federal National Council, Government ministers, ambassadors and envoys, advisers to the rulers and tribal sheikhs and their families are all entitled to a red travel booklet that carries the country’s national emblem — a UAE diplomatic passport. Read more »
The Gulf Can’t Deal with Iran Until Iran Deals with Itself
Since the 1979 revolution Iran has tried its best to maintain a sense of normality. But it is a classic example of a country that has not come to terms with itself, and that poses a challenge for the Gulf countries in trying to decipher how to deal with its northern neighbor. Read more »
Is there a doctor in the house? Answer carefully
Last year after writing We have our own heroes, we don’t need other people’s in The National I received an e-mail from a director in the Watani programme that began: “Dear Dr Sultan”. I must admit that I thought it was a nice compliment, but the thought stopped there and I promptly emailed him back, thanked him and pointed out that I do not have a PhD. Read more »
It’s About Time For the Gulf to Have its Own Special Envoy
Around the Arab world, it is just known as the Obama speech. You don’t need to mention in which venue or country it took place. People just know. Arabs and Muslims who have generally been ruled by autocrats have heard the US president Barack Obama speak directly to them twice in a period of six months. Mr. Obama first addressed us in the Turkish Parliament this spring and then at Cairo University this summer. Twice is two times more than Arab leaders have addressed their own people in many instances. Read more »