It may already seem too far in the past, but it was only earlier this year that a member country of the Gulf Co-operation Council came under attack, twice. On June 23, Iran attacked Qatar’s Al Udeid air base. And three month later, Israel struck Doha on September 9. Gulf leaders were quick to rally around Qatar and condemned the attacks, as did other leaders from the wider Middle East like Syria and Lebanon.
Since those attacks, the idea of collective defence for the GCC’s six member states has received much attention. Following the September strike, leaders of Arab and Islamic nations convened for an emergency summit in Doha to excoriate Israel’s actions. While a united front was immediately on display, there was a need for a determined plan of action, which would factor in a collective response to any future acts of hostility on any member of the GCC.
Even as the Gulf states share a healthy spirit of economic competitiveness, this week’s summit highlighted their intertwined destinies and the need to continue strengthening co-operation
In Bahrain this week, that has been brought to light. As Gulf leaders gathered in the city of Muharraq for a high-level summit, a message was issued in no uncertain terms that emphasised the united strength of the grouping. No longer can adversarial nations venture to attack any member state of the GCC without factoring in a severe response. A security threat to one member state now is deemed a security threat to all, as was articulated in the final communique. It reiterated the words of King Hamad of Bahrain at the opening session of the summit when he said: “The security and prosperity of the Gulf states are indivisible.”
This comes at a time when the GCC’s heft has increased undeniably in the Middle East. In the past few years, Gulf countries have taken on a wider role in shaping the region’s future – whether in aiding the mediation of a ceasefire in Gaza, enabling technological advances or helping post-war Syria get back on its feet.
The agenda at the summit was to build on this growing influence. Some of the discussions centred on stronger defence capabilities – including the completion of the joint defensive air shield that GCC Secretary General Jasem Al Budaiwi highlighted ahead of the meeting, and navigating conflict-related regional diplomacy and advancing economic partnerships.
The GCC’s growth and its expanding role in the region are underpinned by each member state’s stability, prosperity, effective governance and a common predisposition to plan for an unpredictable and dynamic future.
This stability, however, while intact, has in recent years faced foes who wish to undercut it, including from armed groups and extremists and more recently in the strikes by Iran and Israel.
In response to these threats and indeed in preparation for them, the GCC is thinking strategically by striving to deepen existing areas of collaboration with each other as well as creating new ones.
Even as the Gulf states share a healthy spirit of economic competitiveness, this week’s summit highlighted their intertwined destinies and the need to continue strengthening co-operation within the group in areas such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, and to enhance international partnerships beyond it.
But while the idea of building collective defence has taken on a new level of urgency, member states are all too aware that continued economic growth and prosperity will remain central to maintaining both national and regional security. This is an indispensable part of the GCC’s growing relevance to the wider region and the rest of the world.
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
SPECS
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Australia (15-1): Israel Folau; Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; David Pocock, Michael Hooper (capt), Lukhan Tui; Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda; Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson.
Replacements: Tolu Latu, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Jack Maddocks.
THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
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Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
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EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
SPECS
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MWTC info
Tickets to the MWTC range from Dh100 and can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.ae or by calling 800 86 823 from within the UAE or 971 4 366 2289 from outside the country and all Virgin Megastores. Fans looking to attend all three days of the MWTC can avail of a special 20 percent discount on ticket prices.
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES
September 30
South Africa v Australia
Argentina v New Zealand
October 7
South Africa v New Zealand
Argentina v Australia
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The biog
Name: Greg Heinricks
From: Alberta, western Canada
Record fish: 56kg sailfish
Member of: International Game Fish Association
Company: Arabian Divers and Sportfishing Charters
Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
2019 ASIAN CUP FINAL
Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
RESULT
Manchester City 5 Swansea City 0
Man City: D Silva (12'), Sterling (16'), De Bruyne (54' ), B Silva (64' minutes), Jesus (88')
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