The Camp David summit that gathered leaders from the GCC countries and Barack Obama, the US president, was deemed a success by the latter. It marks the beginning of a new era in the relations between the US and the countries of the Gulf.
Writing in the pan-Arab daily Al Hayat, George Semaan said none of the parties involved expected the summit to either remove differences of opinions, mistrust or the Gulf countries’ concerns about Mr Obama’s policy positions on Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
“No one expected visions to unite around crises in the region. On the other hand, no one expected the meeting to fail in its aim of achieving a minimum level of understanding,” he said.
“The most important outcome was the quest to establish a new strategic partnership between the United States and the GCC, to enhance cooperation in matters of defence and cooperation, the supply of arms, counter- terrorism, maritime security and cyber security, and defence against ballistic missiles.”
However he noted there was no announcement about a joint structure with the capability to move quickly in the face of threats, although Mr Obama confirmed the US would consider using military force to defend GCC countries if it was threatened.
“The US does not want to engage in any new war in the region. Mr Obama reaffirmed that solutions to the crises in the Middle East can only come through politics, for he knows that an escalation between Saudi Arabia and Iran would end in a full-scale war that would eventually drag in the US,” he added.
“Iran, which opposes foreign military presence in the region, is surely not pleased with Washington’s protection of its partners. However it must realise it is primarily responsible for strengthening this link between the US and the GCC.
“If it weren’t for Tehran’s policies in recent decades, the Gulf countries would have no need for outside forces to counter [Iran’s] threats.”
He said Tehran had to realise that the US and the industrialised world have interests in the region that they need to defend. Throughout the wars the Gulf has witnessed over the past three decades, the American goal was to prevent any regional or international force from holding the reins of power when it comes to oil.
Writing in the pan-Arab daily Asharq Al Awsat, Tariq Al Humaid said GCC representatives went to Washington with a realistic negotiation strategy.
“They clearly decided to act rationally and wisely at Camp David, sabotaging Iran’s trick to drive them to collide with the Americans and particularly with Mr Obama. He has nearly two years left in the White House, even though each day that passes sees his power as president diminish, surpassed by internal difficulties,” he wrote.
“It is clear that GCC countries sought a new charter for the relationship between them and the US, though a written version never existed between the Americans and the Gulf countries.
“Clearly, GCC leaders went to Camp David convinced that it was not their role to change Obama’s opinion or scream in his face, but on the basis of taking whatever they could get now and not to fall into the Iranian trap. France, Israel and the US Congress will wage the rest of the battle.”
He described this strategy as perfectly reasonable given that Mr Obama is a “naturally hesitant president” serving the final years of his term.
Translated by Carla Mirza
cmirza@thenational.ae
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The chef's advice
Troy Payne, head chef at Abu Dhabi’s newest healthy eatery Sanderson’s in Al Seef Resort & Spa, says singles need to change their mindset about how they approach the supermarket.
“They feel like they can’t buy one cucumber,” he says. “But I can walk into a shop – I feed two people at home – and I’ll walk into a shop and I buy one cucumber, I’ll buy one onion.”
Mr Payne asks for the sticker to be placed directly on each item, rather than face the temptation of filling one of the two-kilogram capacity plastic bags on offer.
The chef also advises singletons not get too hung up on “organic”, particularly high-priced varieties that have been flown in from far-flung locales. Local produce is often grown sustainably, and far cheaper, he says.
The%20specs
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Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
Company%20Profile
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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