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 »
Maan Al Sanea: What went wrong?
Sultan comments on what should be learned from Maan Al Sanea’s story of over-leverage and frozen assets.
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 »
التعاطي مع بلد يجافي نفسه
مبعوث خليجي خاص للسلام
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 »