DOCSLIB.ORG

The Gifts of History

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Gifts of History The Gifts of History The Story of King Abdulaziz and His Pilot i The Gifts of History The Story of King Abdulaziz and His Pilot Al Turath Foundation Michael Saba i © Al-Turath Foundation, 2016 King Fahd National Library Cataloging-in- Publication Data Saba, Michael The gift of history : the story of King Abdulaziz and his pilot. / Michael Saba - Riyadh, 2016 180p ; 24x28cm ISBN : 978-603-8014-36-3 1- Abdulaziz ibn Abdulrahman Al-Saud, 1880-1953 King of Saudi Arabia |-Title 923.153105 dc 1437/4707 L.D. no. 1437/4707 ISBN : 978-603-8014-36-3 Published by Al-Turath foundation, P.O. Box 68200, Riyadh 11527, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Tel: +966 11 4807710 Fax: +966 11 4807708 Website: www.al-turath.com E-mail: [email protected] © Al-Turath, Riyadh 2016 All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photographic or otherwise, without prior permission of the copyright owners. ii Contents Dedication . v Acknowledgements . vi Appreciations . vii Prologue . ix Foreword . x - xiv Chapter 1 Introduction . 1 Chapter 2 The Vision . 23 Chapter 3 The King and the President . 37 Chapter 4 The Plane and Its Pilot . 61 Chapter 5 Restoration . 93 Chapter 6 Joe and the Naval Crew . 103 iii Chapter 7 Joe’s Return . 111 Chapter 8 Recognition . 117 Chapter 9 The Death of a Legend . 129 Chapter 10 King and Pilot Recognized . 139 Chapter 11 Epilogue . 143 Photo Credits . 155 Bibliography . 156 Index . 160 iv Dedication To these great leaders of Saudi Arabia, the late King Abdulaziz who believed in the value of Aviation to his emerging country, the late Crown Prince HRH Sultan bin Abdulaziz, who built the modern Aviation in the Kigdom of Saudi Arabia . The late King Abdulaziz Al Saud The late HRH Crown Prince minister of defence Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud v Acknowledgements HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud HRH has facilitated this project using his energy and abilities in bringing everyone together personally and arranging meeting with His Majesty, the King and other senior Royal Family members . Without him this book would never have been produced . Al Turath Foundation The Al Turath Foundation has provided sponsorship and assistance in accessing archives and information and has made this project a reality . Special thanks to Dr . Zahir Othman and Dr . Osama Al-Gohary . Boeing The story of civil aviation in the Kingdom began with the DC-3 produced by the Douglas Corporation . Over the years as companies grow and develop this legacy has ended up under the care of the Boeing Corporation . From the first approaches Boeing was helpful and supportive in providing access to their archives and the archives of the Douglas Corporation in California . Joe Grant Joe Grant and his wife Marga gave so much to the telling of this story; Joe held a lifelong love of the Kingdom which was reaffirmed in 2006 when and Marga traveled back at the invitation of HRH Salman bin Abdulaziz . Joe’s energy and enthusiasm for everything he did is an inspiration to all who meet him . A significant portion of the photographs were from Joe Grant’s personal collection . King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Al Jazeerah Aviation Museum Archives, Dr . Fahd Al-Semmari and the foundation’s We would like to recognize and thank the management staff for the access to their archives and for the time and staff of Al Jazeerah Aviation Museum for allowing and attention they set aside . photographs of SA-R-1 and the museum . Saudi Arabian Airlines for the materials and We would like to recognize and thank the information they provided . Production Crew Bruce Wendt, Colleen Hareland and Saudi Aramco staff for the access to their archives Mary Kay Anderson . and for the time and attention they set aside and the Saudi Research and Marketing subsequent delivery of photographs and artifacts . We would like to thank Saudi Research and Marketing Royal Aviation and Mr . Bob Reid of Royal Aviation for assisting in the production of this book . who under Boeing assisted in the restoration of SA-R-1 We would also like to thank: to flying condition . They supplied photographs of the Edward Grant, Tacey Grant, Bob Morgan, Jan Morgan, restoration . Lindsay Rohlfsen, Debbie Wilson, Khalid Nasser, Dr . Selwa AL Hazza and Hassan Husseini . vi Appreciations Saudi Arabian Airlines is one of the largest airlines in Saudi Arabia . This legacy began when Captain Joe Grant the Middle East and is the 25th largest in the world . flew a DC-3, the gift of then, President Franklin Delano I would like to thank Captain Joe Grant for his role in Roosevelt to King Abdulaziz in 1945 . Captain Joe Grant helping to create Saudi Arabian Airlines . From the first will forever remain a part of this great Saudi aviation airplane in our fleet, (the DC-3 that Captain Joe flew history . into Saudi Arabia in 1945), to today, Saudi Arabian Some of the material which appears herein was Airlines has made an indelible mark on the world airline previously published in “King Abdulaziz…His Plane scene . and His Pilot” by Michael Saba and is used because Ahmed Al Jazzar, President of Boeing, Saudi Arabia it is integral to the story of Capt . Joe Grant and King Boeing is proud to be a part of the legacy of Aviation in Abdulaziz . vii Prologue The desert sighed under the pressure On the far horizon, the haze of the Arabian sun . Little moved thickened, the transparent soft focus in the still air; save the skittering of the heat haze over the distant of an invisible lizard somewhere in horizon became visible and became the vicinity . The hum, steady and gradually denser . The hum became persistent . Gradually increasing, as louder; it was unnatural . There was a some winged insect perhaps, the shape forming in the haze, a winged hum persisted, increasing in volume shape and the sound coming from gradually in imperceptible stages, it . A flash, as sunlight caught the continuous, low and was coming polished wings, a heavy body and from the west . the hard throbbing sound of Wright The ears of the robed men, R01820 Cyclone Engines burst on accustomed to the sound of the the group of Bedouin gathered in the desert, detected the continuity of desert outside Riyadh in a storm of the sound . It was different and not noise, power and grace . The gleaming natural . As one, their eyes turned aluminum craft skimmed over the towards the western horizon, gazing group and circled around them as if and searching . At first they saw in greeting . It was the promise come nothing . More, they felt a presence . true . A flying machine for the King - Friend or foe? Threat or promise? and in the Kingdom! Whatever the low sound was, it was approaching and fast . Foreword by HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Among all people on this earth there exists a planetary state met in February of 1945 following the historic Yalta thread of intelligence . It is from this global intelligence Conference . The DC-3 arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi that the gifts of history arise and are recognized . King Arabia just two days following Franklin Roosevelt’s Abdulaziz had a vision for the future of the people of death . There had been airplanes in the Kingdom Saudi Arabia . This book is about the King and the man before, but the DC-3 was a different breed of airplane . who would become his friend and colleague and how Developed to fly passengers in unprecedented comfort they worked together to make that vision a reality that and style, the DC-3 also had speed and range . continues to flourish and grow today . The durable and reliable DC-3 was certainly the right King Abdulaziz began to unite the kingdom in 1902 airplane for King Abdulaziz’s vision for the Kingdom, with the retaking of Riyadh . His next challenge was but it needed the right pilot . No one could have been to unite the people . Most were nomadic tribesmen, better for this than Captain Joe Grant . Bedouins, belonging to various tribes across the entire The King needed more than just a good pilot to get him peninsula . King Abdulaziz then moved to unite these from place to place, he needed someone who could nomadic peoples and encourage them settle into villages face challenges as an adventure and who would look by giving them added opportunities and incentives… at the kind of flying he was going to have to do, as Joe such as water wells and a variety of central services . Grant said, as fun . Like the old barnstorming days, they His next challenge was to create a sense of nationhood went places where there weren’t any landing strips or and unite the villages . The Kingdoms of Europe had navigational aids – they were true pioneers long created ties through marriages and King Abdulaziz, But the King envisioned an opportunity to further too, established his rule over the lands by bringing tribes unite all those villages by setting up airports and together through matrimonial unions . bringing people together . Unlike other countries, Most countries unite their urban centers with Saudi Arabia bypassed roads, and railroads in favor waterways, roads and eventually railroads . In a country of the age of aviation . The King subsidized air travel as large as Saudi Arabia, this would have been a massive to keep it affordable . This fostered communication by and expensive undertaking and would have taken bringing people of Saudi Arabia together who might decades .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Key Actors and Abbreviations
    Key actors and abbreviations The Assad regime and its allies ‘The regime’ Bashar al-Assad, Syrian President 2000– Hafez al-Assad, Syrian President 1971–2000 Asma al-Assad (née Akhras), Syria’s First Lady 2000– Maher al-Assad, brother of Bashar al-Assad, Commander of Republican Guard and 4th Armoured Division Anisa Makhlouf, mother of Bashar al-Assad Assif Shawkat, brother-in-law of Bashar al-Assad, head of military intelligence 2005–9, deputy minister of defence 2011–12 Rami Makhlouf, cousin of Bashar al-Assad, wealthy businessman Manaf Tlass, Republican Guard General, defected 2012 Farouk al-Sharaa, First Vice President of Syria 2006– Walid al-Muallem, Foreign Minister 2006– Bouthaina Shabaan, political and media adviser to the Syrian President 2008– Ba’ath – Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party, the ruling party of Syria since 1963 Mukhabarat – Set of notorious regime intelligence agencies Shabiha – Gangs of irregular pro-regime thugs NDF – National Defence Force, formed 2013 Russia Vladimir Putin, Russian President 2000–8, 2012–, Russian Prime Minister 2008–12 Dmitri Medvedev, Russian President 2008–12, Russian Prime Minister 2012–20 Sergei Lavrov, Foreign Minister 2004– Mikhail Bogdanov, Deputy Foreign Minister 2011– Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran 1989– xii 5146.indd xii 19/06/20 5:00 PM KEY ACTORS AND ABBREVIATIONS xiii Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranian President 2005–13 Hassan Rouhani, Iranian President 2013– Ali Akbar Salehi, Foreign Minister 2010–13 Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister 2013– Qassem Suleimani, Commander
    [Show full text]
  • Saudi Arabia's Diplomatic Anger with Washington by Simon Henderson
    MENU Policy Analysis / PolicyWatch 2162 Spat or Split? Saudi Arabia's Diplomatic Anger with Washington by Simon Henderson Oct 23, 2013 ABOUT THE AUTHORS Simon Henderson Simon Henderson is the Baker fellow and director of the Bernstein Program on Gulf and Energy Policy at The Washington Institute, specializing in energy matters and the conservative Arab states of the Persian Gulf. Brief Analysis The kingdom's rejection of a Security Council seat has fueled predictions of a major and perhaps rapid shift in bilateral relations. audi Arabia's abrupt October 17 decision to refuse a seat on the UN Security Council -- an unprecedented S occurrence -- has generated international bewilderment and concern about the mechanics of the kingdom's foreign policy. The sense of crisis was increased by reports on October 22 that Saudi intelligence chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan had warned European diplomats of a potential "major shift" in relations with the United States, due primarily to Washington's perceived inaction on Syria and overtures to Iran. Yet the seriousness of such threats is uncertain, and timely U.S. diplomatic outreach may help defuse the situation. UNPRECEDENTED DISCONTENT? C rises have occurred before in the longstanding U.S.-Saudi relationship, such as Riyadh's leadership of the 1973 Arab oil embargo in protest of U.S. support for Israel, and the involvement of so many Saudi hijackers in the September 11 attacks. The latest spike in tensions stems from a number of issues, however. From the Saudi perspective, the Arab uprisings that swept the region over the past three years have traded stability for chaos.
    [Show full text]
  • GENERAL PHOTOGRAPHS File Subject Index
    GENERAL PHOTOGRAPHS File Subject Index A (General) Abeokuta: the Alake of Abram, Morris B.: see A (General) Abruzzi: Duke of Absher, Franklin Roosevelt: see A (General) Adams, C.E.: see A (General) Adams, Charles, Dr. D.F., C.E., Laura Franklin Delano, Gladys, Dorothy Adams, Fred: see A (General) Adams, Frederick B. and Mrs. (Eilen W. Delano) Adams, Frederick B., Jr. Adams, William Adult Education Program Advertisements, Sears: see A (General) Advertising: Exhibits re: bill (1944) against false advertising Advertising: Seagram Distilleries Corporation Agresta, Fred Jr.: see A (General) Agriculture Agriculture: Cotton Production: Mexican Cotton Pickers Agriculture: Department of (photos by) Agriculture: Department of: Weather Bureau Agriculture: Dutchess County Agriculture: Farm Training Program Agriculture: Guayule Cultivation Agriculture: Holmes Foundry Company- Farm Plan, 1933 Agriculture: Land Sale Agriculture: Pig Slaughter Agriculture: Soil Conservation Agriculture: Surplus Commodities (Consumers' Guide) Aircraft (2) Aircraft, 1907- 1914 (2) Aircraft: Presidential Aircraft: World War II: see World War II: Aircraft Airmail Akihito, Crown Prince of Japan: Visit to Hyde Park, NY Akin, David Akiyama, Kunia: see A (General) Alabama Alaska Alaska, Matanuska Valley Albemarle Island Albert, Medora: see A (General) Albright, Catherine Isabelle: see A (General) Albright, Edward (Minister to Finland) Albright, Ethel Marie: see A (General) Albright, Joe Emma: see A (General) Alcantara, Heitormelo: see A (General) Alderson, Wrae: see A (General) Aldine, Charles: see A (General) Aldrich, Richard and Mrs. Margaret Chanler Alexander (son of Charles and Belva Alexander): see A (General) Alexander, John H. Alexitch, Vladimir Joseph Alford, Bradford: see A (General) Allen, Mrs. Idella: see A (General) 2 Allen, Mrs. Mary E.: see A (General) Allen, R.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Crisis, Reform, Or Stagnation?
    DISCUSSION PAPER Saudi Arabia under Muhammed Bin Salman: Crisis, Reform, or Stagnation? Ebrar Şahika Küçükaşcı DISCUSSION PAPER Saudi Arabia under Muhammed Bin Salman: Crisis, Reform, or Stagnation? Ebrar Şahika Küçükaşcı Saudi Arabia under Muhammed Bin Salman: Crisis, Reform, or Stagnation? © TRT WORLD RESEARCH CENTRE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WRITTEN BY Ebrar Şahika Küçükaşcı PUBLISHER TRT WORLD RESEARCH CENTRE November 2019 PHOTO CREDIT ANADOLU AGENCY TRT WORLD İSTANBUL AHMET ADNAN SAYGUN STREET NO:83 34347 ULUS, BEŞİKTAŞ İSTANBUL / TURKEY TRT WORLD LONDON PORTLAND HOUSE 4 GREAT PORTLAND STREET NO:4 LONDON / UNITED KINGDOM TRT WORLD WASHINGTON D.C. 1819 L STREET NW SUITE, 700 20036 WASHINGTON DC / UNITED STATES www.trtworld.com researchcentre.trtworld.com The opinions expressed in this discussion paper represent the views of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the TRT World Research Centre. 4 Saudi Arabia under Muhammed Bin Salman: Crisis, Reform, or Stagnation? Introduction ince 2015, the world has witnessed In other words, MBS is an exception to his Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad predecessors, who only tried to modernise the bin Salman’s (MBS) ascension to country superficially. power and his ensuing designs to initiate top-down economic and However, upon closer inspection, it is clear that cultural reforms in Saudi Arabia. In the modernisation attempts of MBS have several Sthese four years, MBS has not only asserted himself inherent deficiencies, and will most likely fall short both domestically and internationally, but has also just like his predecessors’ efforts. On the one hand, established a positive framing of himself through his the planning process is widely viewed as being narrative of reform.
    [Show full text]
  • A Game of Thrones: Royal Succession in Saudi Arabia
    A Game of Thrones: Royal Succession in Saudi Arabia Yoel Guzansky The Formation of the Principles of Succession To a large extent, maintaining regime stability in Saudi Arabia relates to the transition of power among brothers rather than from father to son. It may be that this custom has ensured successors with the requisite experience to manage affairs of state, but it has also reduced the pool of potential heirs, resulting in the possibility that Saudi Arabia’s aging leadership may negatively affect the nation’s stability. Concern about succession struggles is not groundless, as the kingdom’s selection process is not entirely institutionalized. Problems concerning succession of governance in monarchies are not unique to Saudi Arabia – Oman too could face them – but the status and importance of Saudi Arabia as the “custodian” of Islam’s holy sites, its possession of the world’s largest oil reserves, and its role as the leading political and military power among the Gulf’s Arab states lends urgency to the Saudi situation. The advanced age and deteriorating health of King Salman and the nomination of Muhammad bin Nayef as the kingdom’s new deputy crown prince suggest that a transition of power to the grandsons’ generation, or at least a decision on the identity of the next heir, is closer than previously thought. The formation of the process of succession in Saudi Arabia began during the reign of the country’s first king and the founder of the modern Saudi state, Abdulaziz, also known as Ibn Saud. When the modern Saudi state was founded in 1932, the political structure relied primarily on the personal loyalty of the leaders of the dominant tribes to the king.
    [Show full text]
  • His Royal Highness Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
    His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud PROFILE Prince Sultan was born in Riyadh on the 27th of June 1956, the second son of His Majesty, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. He is married and has three children. He earned his Master’s Degree in Social and Political Science from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs – Syracuse University, USA in 1999. 1976 He has been an avid pilot since 1976 and has accumulated more than 8000 flight hours; he holds an airline transport pilot certificate from the USA, Saud Arabia and France, qualified on several types of jets (B737, G550, GV, G-IV), helicopters and gliders, as well as being qualified as desert and mountain pilot. 1982 In 1982, he joined the Ministry of Culture Information as Researcher for the Department of International Media. In 1984, he served as Deputy Director of the Saudi Media Committee for the Los Angeles Olympics, and was appointed the same year to establish the newly formed advertising department of at the Ministry. 1985 In June 17th 1985, Prince Sultan was chosen to represent Arab Sat the Arab world’s satellite agency as Payload Specialist on the Space Shuttle Discovery Mission STS 51G. Shortly afterwards, he joined the Royal Saudi Air Force as a fighter pilot, from which he retired in 1996 with the rank of Colonel. 1988 Prince Sultan was elected Chairman of the Board of the Children with Disability Association (DCA) in 1988, and Chairman of the Executive Committee in 1999 and continues to serve in both positions.
    [Show full text]
  • Embassy of India Riyadh INDIA-SAUDI BILATERAL
    Embassy of India Riyadh INDIA-SAUDI BILATERAL RELATIONS India and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial and friendly relations reflecting the centuries old economic and socio-cultural ties. The establishment of diplomatic relations in 1947 was followed by high-level visits from both sides. King Saud visited India in 1955 and the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited the Kingdom in 1956. The visit of the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to Saudi Arabia in 1982 further boosted the bilateral relations. In the recent times, the historic visit of King Abdullah to India in 2006 resulted in signing of ‘Delhi Declaration’ imparting a fresh momentum to the bilateral relationship. The visit provided the framework for cooperation in all fields of mutual interest. The reciprocal visit by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to Saudi Arabia in 2010 raised the level of bilateral engagement to ‘Strategic Partnership’ and the ‘Riyadh Declaration’ signed during the visit captured the spirit of enhanced cooperation in political, economic, security and defence realms. The visit of the then Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (now King) to India in 2014 has further deepened the relations between our two countries. The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Riyadh from April 2-3, 2016 could be seen as a turning point in our growing engagement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has taken an upward strategic direction. The official engagements of Hon’ble Prime Minister included the meetings with King Salman, (the then) Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, (the then) Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman {now Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defence}, Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir, Health Minister and Chairman of the Executive Board of Saudi Aramco Khalid Al Falih {now Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources}, and interaction with top Saudi business leaders at the Council of Saudi Chambers.
    [Show full text]
  • Program Occasional Paper Series Summer 2012
    MIDDLE EAST PROGRAM OCCASIONAL PAPER SERIES SUMMER 2012 MIDDLE EAST PROGRAM SUMMER OCCASIONAL PAPER SERIES 2012 Saudi Arabia’s Race Against Time The Saudi offi- The overwhelming impression from a two- David B. Ottaway, cial from the week visit to the kingdom is that the House Senior Scholar, Ministry of of Saud finds itself in a tight race against time Woodrow Wilson International Interior’s “ideo- to head off a social explosion, made more Center for Scholars and former Bureau logical security” likely by the current Arab Awakening, that Chief, Washington Post, Cairo department was could undermine its legitimacy and stabil- relaxed and ity. Ironically, the threat stems partly from confident. The King Abdullah’s deliberate policy to stimulate government had uprooted scores of secret reform by sending a new generation of Saudis al-Qaeda cells, rounded up 5,700 of its fol- abroad for training in the sciences, technolo- lowers, and deafened Saudi society to its siren gy, and critical thinking—skills that his king- call to jihad to overthrow the ruling al-Saud dom’s own educational system, dominated by royal family. For the kingdom, the threat ultra-conservative Wahhabi religious clerics, from Islamic terrorists had become manage- has failed to provide. able. So, what is the main security concern Thousands of beneficiaries from the King of the Saudi government today? The answer Abdullah Foreign Scholarship Program, came as something of a surprise: the return of underway since 2005, have returned from U.S. 150,000 Saudis who have been sent abroad to colleges and universities to face bleak prospects study, nearly one half of whom are now in the for a job, house, or marriage.
    [Show full text]
  • Saudi Arabia in Transition from Defense to Offense, but How to Score?
    v BELFER CENTER PAPER Saudi Arabia in Transition From Defense to Offense, But How to Score? Karen Elliott House SENIOR FELLOW PAPER JULY 2017 Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs Harvard Kennedy School 79 JFK Street Cambridge, MA 02138 www.belfercenter.org Statements and views expressed in this report are solely those of the author and do not imply endorsement by Harvard University, Harvard Kennedy School, or the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Design & Layout by Andrew Facini Cover photo and opposite page 1: Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrives at the Hangzhou Exhibition Center to participate in G20 Summit, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016 in Hangzhou, China. (Etienne Oliveau/Pool Photo via AP) Copyright 2017, President and Fellows of Harvard College Printed in the United States of America BELFER CENTER PAPER Saudi Arabia in Transition From Defense to Offense, But How to Score? Karen Elliott House SENIOR FELLOW PAPER JUNE 2017 About the Author Karen Elliott House is a senior fellow at the Belfer Center and author of “On Saudi Arabia: Its People, Past, Religion, Fault Lines—and Future,” published by Knopf in 2012. During a 32 year career at The Wall Street Journal she served as diplomatic correspondent, foreign editor and finally as Publisher of the paper. She won a Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in 1984 for her coverage of the Middle East. She is chairman of the RAND Corporation. Her April 2016 report on Saudi Arabia, “Uneasy Lies the Head that Wears a Crown,” can be found at the Belfer Center’s website: http://www.belfercenter.org/publication/uneasy-lies-head-wears-crown The author, above, in rural Jizan Province in April 2009 with an elderly farmer and some of his 35 children (from three wives) and 30 grandchildren.
    [Show full text]
  • Saudi Prince, 7 Others Killed in Copter Crash
    2 Tuesday, November 7, 2017 Coalition forces close air, sea,Riyadh land access to Yemen“All necessary legal steps he Command of the will be taken against violators Coalition in Support of of these procedures. The theT Legitimacy in Yemen will Coalition Command calls upon temporarily close all air, land the brethren Yemeni people and and sea ports to Yemen to stem all civilian and humanitarian the flow of arms to Houthi crews to avoid areas of combat rebels from Iran, it said in a operations, areas populated statement yesterday. by the Houthi armed militia, “The Coalition Forces areas and ports exploited by Command decided to this Iranian-controlled militia temporarily close all Yemeni to smuggle weapons, and areas air, sea and land ports,” the from which this militia launch statement said, adding that its attacks against the Kingdom. aid workers and humanitarian The Coalition also calls upon supplies would continue to be diplomatic missions to avoid able to access and exit Yemen. areas that are not controlled by The move follows the the Legitimate Government of flagrant military aggression by Yemen.” the Iranian-controlled Houthi “The Coalition Command militias which targeted the city calls upon the international of Riyadh on Saturday using a community and the United ballistic missile with a range of Nations Security Council more than 900 km. including the sanctions Saudi Arabia and its Gulf committee established by the Arab allies have made clear they Council for the implementation view Iran as mainly responsible of UNSC Resolution 2216,
    [Show full text]
  • The Gulf and Sectarianism
    ANALYSIS GULF THE GULF AND SECTARIANISM Introduction by Fatima Ayub ABOUT By virtue of their confined political environments, the countries of the Arabian Peninsula and their most important neighbours often remain impenetrable to domestic and Has the Arab Awakening degenerated into a nightmare? foreign observers. And yet, the evolving politics After its first experiment with credible elections, Egypt has of Peninsula countries, their relationship to reverted to the strongman politics of the deep state. A free one another and to the wider region, pose Libya looks to be in free fall. Yemen’s managed political some of the most significant and unanswered transition is stagnating. Bahrain’s national reconciliation questions for the changing geopolitics of the is less a dialogue than a monologue by its self-assured Middle East. Gulf politics are entering the monarchs. Syria is unravelling into an ever more divisive most unpredictable and volatile era since their and brutal internecine conflict, jeopardising the political establishment. and economic health of already anaemic Lebanon and Jordan. The war in Iraq, metastasizing anew as the Arab Understanding these new trends as they Awakening triggers new power struggles around it, claims unfold will be critical if Europeans and other hundreds of dead each month as it fuses with the war on its international actors intend to rely on the Gulf western border. Perhaps the most worrying trend is that of states as financial and political partners in the sectarianism and in particular the re-emergence of identity region. In the coming decade, the Gulf states politics along the Shia-Sunni divide.
    [Show full text]
  • Qatar Crisis
    2 June 25, 2017 Cover Story QatarSaudi transition crisis New crown prince widely welcomed in Saudi Arabia Mohammed Alkhereiji Domestically, the news was re- restructuring ever seriously pro- ported with a sense of optimism posed.” and the reshuffle had a positive ef- The plan is designed to wean the London fect on the Saudi stock exchange, Saudi economy off its traditional the largest in the Middle East. The dependency on the energy sector, n a surprise move, Saudi King Tadawul index increased more while creating jobs, stimulating Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud than 5%, an indication of trader the private sector and modernising appointed his son Prince Mo- confidence related to the appoint- Saudi Arabia. A large component of hammed bin Salman bin Ab- ment. the plan is focused on issues relat- dulaziz as heir to the Saudi The choice of Prince Mohammed ed to the kingdom’s young people, Ithrone and relieved Prince Moham- bin Salman, 31, as crown prince who are estimated to be more than med bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz of his makes him the youngest heir to half of the country’s population. positions as crown prince, deputy the throne in Saudi history and The centrepiece of Vision 2030 prime minister and interior minis- comes at a time of major changes in and the National Transformation ter. the kingdom, known traditionally Plan is to be the initial public of- The Saudi royal court announced for its measured pace in dealing fering of 1-5% interest in Saudi the reshuffle June 21 with a state- with matters related to domestic Aramco, the world’s most valuable ment that said Prince Moham- policy.
    [Show full text]