The folks at Abraaj Capital were a monster to work with. A minority investment was enough for them to believe that they ran the company – and that we all barked whenever they said bark. There was an unpleasant arrogance … Continue reading
Category Archives: Middle East
The US led the way. The UK and NATO allies had little option but to follow. After twenty years of occupation the US led forces were leaving Afghanistan; and optimistically thinking that the country would remain open and safe with … Continue reading
America’s war in Afghanistan is ending in crushing defeat. The consequences of the conflict for Afghans, already catastrophic, are likely to get worse. It was not just the US, but Nato allies, that made a shabby, half-hidden retreat in the last … Continue reading
The abiding memory of 2020 will be masks. Masks everywhere. Masks that help stop the spread of the virus but which also stop us from showing one of our best emotions – contentment, happiness, humour. If you asked me what … Continue reading
Qatar Airways is in the middle of a marketing binge touting itself, amongst other things, as the biggest operator during the current COVID-19 pandemic and the most popular international carrier to Australia. The airline claims that over 15,000 flights were operated … Continue reading
Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 took off at 6.12am on Wednesday 8 January, after nearly an hour’s delay at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport. It gained altitude heading west, reaching nearly 8,000ft, according to flight-tracking data. Minutes after take … Continue reading
The new year drone strike that killed Iran’s most prominent commander, Qassem Suleimani, will have profound consequences for the region. Early on January 3rd General Qassem Suleimani, Iran’s most storied and feared commander, stepped off a plane from Syria or … Continue reading
The final report on the 2016 crash of flydubai flight 981, a Boeing 737-800 at Rostov-on-Don, Russia, was issued last week by Russia’s Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC). In summary the report said the primary cause was the incorrect aircraft configuration … Continue reading
Tonight is the blockade derby. UAE at home to Qatar in the Asia Cup semi final. The winners will play Japan in the final. The tournament has been played against the backdrop of the nearly two year old dispute, which … Continue reading
I support this letter and plea for the UAE government to release Ahmed Mansoor. “We, the undersigned, call on the government of the United Arab Emirates to immediately and unconditionally release prisoner of conscience Ahmed Mansoor. Mr Mansoor is an … Continue reading