The confrontation over Qatar’s policies is being misunderstood in parts of the international community as merely a parochial and petty “spat” between local rivals. But, to the contrary, this complex dynamic reflects a profound and regionwide ideological struggle being waged in three key areas of the Arab world: Qatar in the Gulf, Gaza in the Levant, and Libya in North Africa.
At issue is nothing less than the character, role and future of the Muslim Brotherhood and similar Islamist groups across the region.
The military-led removal of Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi from office in 2013, and its aftermath, plunged Brotherhood parties throughout the Arab world into an existential crisis. Indeed, the traditional Brotherhood movement - established in Egypt in the 1920s and structured around an essentially Leninist methodology of urban revolutionary vanguardism - seems to be disintegrating.
Many Brotherhood groups are seeking to adapt and remain viable by evolving into legitimate, post-revolutionary and effectively post-Islamist conservative political parties. These include Ennahda in Tunisia, the Justice and Development Party in Morocco, the mainstream Brotherhood in Jordan, large elements of Al-Islah in Yemen, and similar groups in Kuwait and elsewhere.
Muslim Brotherhood members who find such moderation intolerable are instead being pulled towards far more fanatical groups like Al Qaeda, ISIL or other Salafist-Jihadist terror organisations.
Between the imperative of moderation and the lure of extremism, the familiar but dwindling conventional Muslim Brotherhood movement has just a few, albeit significant, remaining redoubts.
Qatar’s deep-pocketed soft power and media empire, featuring Al Jazeera, serves as the Brotherhood’s bankroll and megaphone. Hamas’s rule in Gaza is the Brotherhood’s last de facto government and primary territorial enclave. And Brotherhood affiliates in Libya remain potent fighting and political forces.
But all three are now being simultaneously challenged by non-Islamist Arab powers. Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, for example, are involved in pressuring both Qatar and Hamas, and combating radicals in Libya.
The Palestinian Authority, Egypt and Israel are directly pressing Hamas to loosen its grip over Gaza and its almost two million long-suffering Palestinian residents.
Egypt and Israel tightly control movement in and out of Gaza. Western restrictions on dealing with Hamas, widely designated to be a terrorist organisation, have greatly hampered humanitarian and development work. The UN says living conditions have become “more and more wretched” during the decade of Hamas rule.
Now, fed up with Hamas’s recalcitrance, the PA has imposed additional measures, squeezing both Gaza’s beleaguered population and their rulers. If Hamas insists on violently enforcing a monopoly of power in Gaza, the PA is saying, it must bear the costs itself.
Hamas demands the PA finance Gaza’s electricity, but Ramallah has cut payments to Israeli suppliers. It also slashed the salaries of some public employees and prisoners’ families, among other measures.
Hamas is exhibiting clear signs of stress. In April it floated a new “charter” that is more moderate than, but does not abrogate or replace, its hideous 1988 founding document. Hamas thus now has two operative formal mission statements, one for its radical base and another for everyone else. No one is fooled.
Hamas historically relies on support from Turkey and, especially, Qatar, where the “new charter” was unveiled.
But Turkey has resumed close relations with Israel. With its political attention turned inward, Turkey now serves more as a refuge for marooned Brotherhood leaders than a potent patron. Doha faces bigger problems than Ankara, and can do little to shore up Hamas.
In Libya, the third major front in this ideological confrontation, Qatar’s clients - mainly affiliated with the Brotherhood and the “Libya Dawn” militia that dominates Tripoli - are also struggling. General Khalifa Haftar’s anti-Islamist “Libyan National Army,” supported by Egypt and the UAE, recently consolidated control over Benghazi and several crucial oil terminals, as well as its base in Tobruk.
As with the crises involving Qatar and Hamas, the battle in Libya in part represents a confrontation between some of the last viable remnants of the traditional iteration of the Muslim Brotherhood versus Arab forces opposed to radical Islamism.
If Qatar is forced to abandon its pro-Brotherhood policies, Hamas is compelled to loosen its grip on Gaza and anti-Islamist forces consolidate control over key areas of Libya, then it may be very difficult for the familiar Brotherhood movement of the 20th century to remain politically functional for much more of the 21st.
Such developments would surely fast-track an emerging binary choice facing Muslim Brothers. They can follow the pragmatic path of Rachid Ghannouchi and Ennahda, and become post-revolutionary, and essentially post-Islamist, legitimate conservative Muslim political parties. Or they can go the violent way of Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi and ISIL, and join nihilistic, and essentially psychotic, terrorist groups.
There are numerous facets and particularities to the Qatar crisis and the struggles over Gaza and Libya.
But the ideological clash embedded in all three regarding the viability and future of the traditional revolutionary and subversive, but only strategically violent, Muslim Brotherhood – as opposed to the emergent alternatives of the developing legitimate post-Islamist conservative Muslim parties or the universally reviled ultra-terrorists – is certainly the most regionally and historically consequential.
Hussein Ibish is a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
'The%20Alchemist's%20Euphoria'
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The 10 Questions
- Is there a God?
- How did it all begin?
- What is inside a black hole?
- Can we predict the future?
- Is time travel possible?
- Will we survive on Earth?
- Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
- Should we colonise space?
- Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
- How do we shape the future?
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Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
Based: UAE
Sector: Travel & tourism
Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
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End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
What is double taxation?
- Americans living abroad file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, which can cost hundreds of dollars to complete even though about 60 per cent do not owe taxes, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service
- Those obligations apply to millions of Americans residing overseas – estimates range from 3.9 million to 5.5 million – including so-called "accidental Americans" who are unaware they hold dual citizenship
- The double taxation policy has been a contentious issue for decades, with many overseas Americans feeling that it punishes them for pursuing opportunities abroad
- Unlike most countries, the US follows a citizenship-based taxation system, meaning that Americans must file taxes annually, even if they do not earn any income in the US.
Palestine and Israel - live updates
Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
SUZUME
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm
Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh130,000
On sale: now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Major honours
ARSENAL
BARCELONA
- La Liga - 2013
- Copa del Rey - 2012
- Fifa Club World Cup - 2011
CHELSEA
- Premier League - 2015, 2017
- FA Cup - 2018
- League Cup - 2015
SPAIN
- World Cup - 2010
- European Championship - 2008, 2012
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
MORE ON TURKEY'S SYRIA OFFENCE
List of UAE medal winners
Gold
Faisal Al Ketbi (Open weight and 94kg)
Talib Al Kirbi (69kg)
Omar Al Fadhli (56kg)
Silver
Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Khalfan Belhol (85kg)
Zayed Al Mansoori (62kg)
Mouza Al Shamsi (49kg women)
Bronze
Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi (Open and 94kg)
Saood Al Hammadi (77kg)
Said Al Mazroui (62kg)
Obaid Al Nuaimi (56kg)
Bashayer Al Matrooshi (62kg women)
Reem Abdulkareem (45kg women)
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Grand slam winners since July 2003
Who has won major titles since Wimbledon 2003 when Roger Federer won his first grand slam
Roger Federer 19 (8 Wimbledon, 5 Australian Open, 5 US Open, 1 French Open)
Rafael Nadal 16 (10 French Open, 3 US Open, 2 Wimbledon, 1 Australian Open)
Novak Djokovic 12 (6 Australian Open, 3 Wimbledon, 2 US Open, 1 French Open)
Andy Murray 3 (2 Wimbledon, 1 US Open)
Stan Wawrinka 3 (1 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 1 US Open)
Andy Roddick 1 (1 US Open)
Gaston Gaudio 1 (1 French Open)
Marat Safin 1 (1 Australian Open)
Juan Martin del Potro 1 (1 US Open)
Marin Cilic 1 (1 US Open)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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WHAT ARE NFTs?
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are tokens that represent ownership of unique items. They allow the tokenisation of things such as art, collectibles and even real estate.
An NFT can have only one official owner at one time. And since they're minted and secured on the Ethereum blockchain, no one can modify the record of ownership, not even copy-paste it into a new one.
This means NFTs are not interchangeable and cannot be exchanged with other items. In contrast, fungible items, such as fiat currencies, can be exchanged because their value defines them rather than their unique properties.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Tales of Yusuf Tadros
Adel Esmat (translated by Mandy McClure)
Hoopoe
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
No%20Windmills%20in%20Basra
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Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
