CAIRO // Reactions from across the Middle East and North Africa to Barack Obama's re-election yesterday were subdued but hopeful about a US president who has struck a more cosmopolitan tone in the region's affairs.
In 2008, after winning his first election, Mr Obama stood before a huge crowd at Cairo University and declared in a landmark speech that he would seek "a new beginning" in US-Muslim relations. But the past four years have proven US foreign policy in the region is where the gap between rhetoric and action often yawns the widest.
Mohamed Samir, 30, a financial systems consultant in Cairo, said he - like many Egyptians - was relieved that Mr Obama had been re-elected over Republican candidate Mitt Romney. "Obama is closer to Egyptians and the Arabs," he said. "Romney, I think, is farther from us."
"Maybe in the future, there will be more dialogue and there will be change going forward," Mr Samir said, echoing the comments of Egypt's president Mohammed Morsi, who said in a terse statement yesterday that "we hope the newly elected US administration will work to achieve the interests of both the American and Egyptian people".
Of the pledges he made after his first election, Mr Obama's promise that "America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own" was seen as his greatest failure. Peace between Israel and the Palestinians is nowhere in sight and Mr Obama has clashed with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a variety of sensitive issues.
Saeb Erekat, the lead Palestinian peace negotiator, said he hoped Mr Obama would finally pressure Israel to "implement the conditions needed for a two-state solution".
But some Palestinians interviewed yesterday were sceptical that a re-elected Mr Obama would push for a Palestinian state, let alone end the Israeli occupation.
"Everyone thought Obama would help us, but he always sides with Israel," said Ahmed Abdeen, 27, a manager at a home-appliance shop in Ramallah. "We don't like him."
Mr Netanyahu congratulated Mr Obama in a brief statement, saying: "The strategic alliance between Israel and the US is stronger than ever."
In Iraq, the importance of the US elections was diminished - a stark contrast from four years ago when the US military was more deeply entrenched in the country. Many across the region, however, saw Mr Obama as a president who was less likely to engage in large-scale wars in the name of American national security.
Former Iraqi MP Mufeed Al Jazaeiri said that Mr Obama was a safer bet for the Middle East because the Republican Party "always stands with war options, which could have brought more wars to Iraq and to the region".
In Iran, some sighed with relief at Mr Obama's re-election. "It made my day," said Sima, a businesswoman in Tehran who, like many Iranians, got up early to follow the tense electoral denouement. "I and my friends expected war if Romney won."
Even Iran's semi-official Fars news agency, affiliated to the hardline Revolutionary Guards, appeared relieved. "Republican's elephant crushed by Democrat's donkey," it trumpeted, referring to the symbols of the two US parties.
The volatile aftermath of the Arab Spring uprisings and the rise of followers of political Islam into power has created a complicated challenge for the Obama administration, forcing policymakers to come up with ways to restore security while allowing democracies to make their own way.
Yemen is still facing an insurgency; Libya is grappling with armed militias threatening the unity of the country and Bahrain's political deadlock has escalated with bombings. In Egypt, the country is facing a financial crisis that could destabilise its new-found democracy while the West believes Iran is forging ahead with building a nuclear weapon, increasing the likelihood of conflict with Israel. Syria is locked in civil war where the death toll rises every day without an end in sight.
Despite the instability created by the Arab Spring and the possibility of more conflict on the horizon, many still see Mr Obama as an advocate of peace.
"President Obama will press for human rights and democracy to leave his marks in history," said Jasim Husain, a former MP and economist in Bahrain. "Also, the re-election reinforces the drive for peace rather than wars in the region especially with regards to Iran."
In Yemen, where the campaign of suspected US drone strikes against Al Qaeda militant that has killed dozens of civilians, there are mixed reactions to Mr Obamba's re-election.
Ali Al Kulabi, a store owner in Sanaa, who stayed up all night to wait for the US election results, said he was relieved that Republicans did not take power. "Obama is not blood thirsty," he said. "He knew the US government had a bad reputation in the Middle East and one of his top priorities was to polish the US reputation that was damaged by the [previous] Bush government. He helped America gain the support and respect of many who lost hope in it."
In Sirte, a stronghold of support for the former leader of Libya, Muammar Qaddafi, large chunks of the town were destroyed by last year's US-backed armed rebellion.
Feelings about American politics were mixed, but the consensus at the lively university campus was that Mr Obama's victory was probably for the best.
"There's an old saying that the one you know is better than the one you don't know," said Hassan Gunnay, 22. "We know Obama, but not Romney."
bhope@thenational.ae
* With additional reporting from Alice Fordham, Hugh Naylor, Elizabeth Dickinson, Michael Theodoulou, Nizar Latif, Ben Gittleson and Hakim Almasmari
Joe Root's Test record
Tests: 53; Innings: 98; Not outs: 11; Runs: 4,594; Best score: 254; Average: 52.80; 100s: 11; 50s: 27
Personalities on the Plate: The Lives and Minds of Animals We Eat
Barbara J King, University of Chicago Press
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
South Africa's T20 squad
Duminy (c), Behardien, Dala, De Villiers, Hendricks, Jonker, Klaasen (wkt), Miller, Morris, Paterson, Phangiso, Phehlukwayo, Shamsi, Smuts.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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SPECS
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20750hp%20at%207%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20800Nm%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%207%20Speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20332kph%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012.2L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYear%20end%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1%2C430%2C000%20(coupe)%3B%20From%20Dh1%2C566%2C000%20(Spider)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Christopher Robin
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Haley Atwell, Jim Cummings, Peter Capaldi
Three stars
ICC T20 Team of 2021
Jos Buttler, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi, Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mustafizur Rahman, Shaheen Afridi
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
HAJJAN
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Abu%20Bakr%20Shawky%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3EStarring%3A%20Omar%20Alatawi%2C%20Tulin%20Essam%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al-Hasawi%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Sweet%20Tooth
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MATCH INFO
Mainz 0
RB Leipzig 5 (Werner 11', 48', 75', Poulsen 23', Sabitzer 36')
Man of the Match: Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)
Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
BRIEF SCORES
England 353 and 313-8 dec
(B Stokes 112, A Cook 88; M Morkel 3-70, K Rabada 3-85)
(J Bairstow 63, T Westley 59, J Root 50; K Maharaj 3-50)
South Africa 175 and 252
(T Bavuma 52; T Roland-Jones 5-57, J Anderson 3-25)
(D Elgar 136; M Ali 4-45, T Roland-Jones 3-72)
Result: England won by 239 runs
England lead four-match series 2-1
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cargoz%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Premlal%20Pullisserry%20and%20Lijo%20Antony%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2030%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Brief scores:
Kashima Antlers 0
River Plate 4
Zuculini 24', Martinez 73', 90 2', Borre 89' (pen)
Ireland (15-1):
Ireland (15-1): Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack Conan, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony; James Ryan, Quinn Roux; Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best (capt), Cian Healy
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, John Cooney, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour
Coach: Joe Schmidt (NZL)
The biog
Age: 19
Profession: medical student at UAE university
Favourite book: The Ocean at The End of The Lane by Neil Gaiman
Role model: Parents, followed by Fazza (Shiekh Hamdan bin Mohammed)
Favourite poet: Edger Allen Poe
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 258hp at 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km
Price, base: from D215,000 (Dh230,000 as tested)
On sale: now
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Real Sociedad v Leganes (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Real Valladolid (4pm)
Valencia v Granada (7pm)
Eibar v Real Madrid (9.30pm)
Barcelona v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Sunday
Real Mallorca v Villarreal (3pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Levante (5pm)
Atletico Madrid v Espanyol (7pm)
Getafe v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Real Betis v Sevilla (midnight)
Match info
Manchester United 0-0 Crystal Palace
Man of the match: Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace)
Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is the most popular virtual currency in the world. It was created in 2009 as a new way of paying for things that would not be subject to central banks that are capable of devaluing currency. A Bitcoin itself is essentially a line of computer code. It's signed digitally when it goes from one owner to another. There are sustainability concerns around the cryptocurrency, which stem from the process of "mining" that is central to its existence.
The "miners" use computers to make complex calculations that verify transactions in Bitcoin. This uses a tremendous amount of energy via computers and server farms all over the world, which has given rise to concerns about the amount of fossil fuel-dependent electricity used to power the computers.
The Word for Woman is Wilderness
Abi Andrews, Serpent’s Tail
Company%20profile
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RESULT
Leeds United 1 Manchester City 1
Leeds: Rodrigo (59')
Man City: Sterling (17')
Man of the Match: Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds)
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Tori Amos
Native Invader
Decca
