The Saudi–UAE schism is not a passing disagreement. It reflects a deeper question confronting the Middle East: whether regional order will be shaped by states, or by networks.
Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, said Ankara is looking to join defence alliance under which ‘any aggression’ against one country is considered an attack on all.
A media report earlier cited 2 Pakistani sources as saying the 2 countries were discussing a plan to convert 2-bn dollars Saudi loan into a purchase of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets.
Saudi-led Coalition arrayed against Houthis in northern Yemen is on precipice of fresh conflict after expulsion of UAE-backed STC leader Al-Zoubaidi from Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council.
While The Express Tribune initially reported on tensions in the Gulf, those articles went missing from its website the next day. It was only Dawn that continued to report on the matter. But even that was selective.
UAE announced withdrawal of remaining forces in Yemen after Saudi's limited strike at Al-Mukalla. Riyadh accused Abu Dhabi of moving military equipment to support separatist STC in Yemen.
Kapur noted that Saudi cuisine is often wrongly lumped together with Middle Eastern food. While the two share similarities, they are also distinctly different.
Other key promises in the budget include AI- and other technology-enabled services for farmers and continuation of the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which will have the same outlay.
IRIS Lavan was in the region for the International Fleet Review held last month and ‘sought urgent docking in Kochi citing technical issues,’ it is learnt.
The Pakistani political leadership is weak and devoid of any intellect. Its diplomacy is entirely India-China-US focused and suffers from a presumptive view of Afghanistan as a vassal.
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