Turkey and Egypt slim down Israel's ego
Israel has been dealt two serious blows in the space of a couple of weeks, the first from Turkey, the second from Egypt. And Tel Aviv's reaction did not live up to its trademark arrogance, wrote Khaled Al Hroub, a Cambridge University lecturer, in the Emirati newspaper Al Ittihad.
The Turkish government expelled the Israeli ambassador from Ankara, recalled its own from Israel and froze all military collaboration with the country that was until recently a close ally.
The Turkish moves came as a response to Israel's refusal to apologise for killing nine Turks on a Gaza-bound aid ship last year.
Then, a crowd of Egyptians stormed the Israeli embassy in Cairo last weekend in a show of anger at Israel's refusal to apologise for shooting Egyptian soldiers on the Sinai border.
"After both instances, Israeli officials stated that they do not want 'any escalation' and are trying to contain Turkish and Egyptian anger," the writer said.
Never mind the hotheaded statements by Israel's hard-line foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman. What Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, had to say was more telling about Israel's serious concern regarding the changes in its neighbourhood since the fall of its "strategic treasure" - the Mubarak regime, the writer went on.
Indeed, the image of an invincible, never-compromising Israel is starting to crack.
Attempts to 'burn' Egypt are in the works
"The Egyptian government was right in saying that Egypt is facing a serious ordeal that threatens the state's very foundations," wrote Tariq Al Homayed, the editor of the London-based newspaper Asharq Al Awsat.
"It would be wrong to take the storming of the Israeli embassy out of the context of other operations that point to insidious attempts to set Egypt on fire," he added.
The storming of the embassy last weekend is the second such attempt to drag Egypt into an "uncalculated" war with Israel, after an incident followed the killing of Egyptian soldiers by Israeli ones on the Sinai border last month.
"Some organised work seems to be under way to make the situation in Egypt explode over Israel, and particularly over the Egypt-Israel peace treaty," the editor went on.
The disturbing part is that Egypt's political and intellectual class seems to be oblivious to the gravity of the situation. Their reactions have so far been tame.
"What Egyptians tend to overlook is that the storming of the embassy, after the Egyptian revolution, is reminiscent of the storming of the US embassy in Tehran after the Iranian revolution," the editor observed.
Is confrontation with Israel really the panacea to Egypt's internal problems?
Not likely, the writer concluded.
Turkey's rise irritates Israel - and Iran, too
How deep into the Middle East will the thunderous Turkish diplomatic invasion go, columnist Rajeh el Khouri asked in the Lebanese daily Annahar.
It is a valid question after Ankara's recent face-off with Israel and its strong reprimand of the Syrian regime's oppressive ways.
The Turkish involvement in Middle Eastern issues is becoming deeply annoying for some.
Clearly Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, has chosen the Palestinian issue as a gateway to building regional supremacy. His announcement that the Turkish navy will escort future aid ships sailing to Gaza could mean marine confrontation with Israel.
On another occasion, Mr Erdogan spoke of Turkish measures to ensure the equitable distribution of Mediterranean oil and gas resources. That causes serious concern, not only in Israel, but also in the US, which has been intensifying efforts to mend the broken Israeli-Turkish alliance.
There's talk in Ankara about more of the measures against Israel that started in Davos.
At around this time every year, Ankara and Tel Aviv used to join forces in marine manoeuvres, but not this year, to the great jubilation of Arabs.
"But no one is more concerned over rising Turkish might than Iran," said the writer. "Tehran feels that Ankara is penetrating its power haven on the shores of the Mediterranean."
Indeed Turkey does seem to be stealing the limelight from Iran.
Security tops the list of Yemen's problems
Yemeni government troops have recaptured Zinjibar from militants who had controlled the southern city for months, but throughout Yemen, calls for help are sounding ever-louder, the Dubai-based daily Al Bayan noted in its editorial.
Any more structural imbalances in Yemen would breed additional security issues and further reduce stability. The state has yet to impose control over many of the tribal regions.
"Yemen suffers from stark poverty in the absence of infrastructure and under an overriding illiteracy. This has created a safe haven for wanted Al Qaeda elements, and a good host environment for smuggling and drug trafficking, which in turn finance Al Qaeda's terrorist activities in Yemen."
Despite growing popular discontent, Al Qaeda is still strong in Yemen, especially among the tribes that have been the most affected by the war against the organisation.
It is a situation that creates a window of opportunity for terrorism to fasten its grip on the country.
This poses serious challenges to the Yemeni authorities, who are urgently called to review their antiterrorism polices in a way that best serves the people and guarantees security and order.
* Digest compiled by the Translation Desk
translation@thenational.ae
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
General%20Classification
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
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The five pillars of Islam
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
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Wydad 2 Urawa 3
Wydad Nahiri 21’, Hajhouj 90'
Urawa Antonio 18’, 60’, Kashiwagi 26’
The%20team
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets