The same can be true with dealing with people in general. The Pakistani hotel Purchasing Manager that was being pushy with this American Vice President this week probably didn't deserve my threat of a drone strike, but it made me chuckle as he bantered with me. Speaking of American Drones, this past week there was a large Military weapon show in Abu Dhabi. The UAE government ended up purchasing 1.6 billion in equipment and hardware at the show. They became the first Middle Eastern country that the US Government allowed to buy drones. Interesting and thought provoking to say the least. Right now, there is a large American "drone base" operating in Saudi Arabia that directs the drones and controls the surveillance and the destruction of targets around the Middle East (lots of activity in Yemen and over the Persian Gulf). Our alley here is arming up, it will be interesting to see where the future will lead.
Speaking of the Middle East, this weeks review of the region we will check out the center (saving the UAE for next week) of the Region.
Starting at the top and moving south (trying to make this easy - and I hope this hasn't been too boring). We begin with my best hire during my time in Dubai, the lovely Ceren. She is tough as nails and is from Turkey (She now manages the hotel channel at Transmed and has done a great job). Turkey doesn't fit the profiles of the region. The population is over 90% Muslim, yet they are a member of NATO. They are an alley here, yet they are tough foes of Israel. In South Eastern Turkey (bordering Iraq) there is a large Kurdish population, yet the Turkish Government fears the uniting of the Turkish Kurds with the Iraqi Kurds of Northern Iraq. It is a safe place for Americans to visit or do business, but once again the golden rule of making sure you stay on the "right side" of the law applies big time. Even though it is a very Muslim country, it is also "Western" in many aspects. In general, it's hard to use Turkey as a guide for anything as so many aspects of this nation (at least politically) don't follow a blue print as to what you would think.
Turkey is having huge issues right now with their Southern border neighbor Syria. The Civil War rocking Syria has turned into a proxy East verses West conflict. The current government led by the hard liner President Assad is in an alliance with Russia and Iran that are propping up the government against the "rebels". Syria has a long history of conflicts, and even was invaded by British led troops in World War II. The former French colony finally took its current state in the early 70's. The current President's father seized control of the Government in 1970. He ruled the country (with limited democracy) until his death in 2000. His son then followed his father, and has not been as popular as dad. Syria has had very rough relations with Israel, opposing the creation of the Jewish state in 1947 by trying to forcibly stop the Jewish state from beginning. They also invaded Israel during the Yom Kippur War of 1967. The Israeli's won a decisive victory and seized the Golan Heights. The Golan Heights has dominated peace negotiations between the two nations ever since. Syria joined the US in the first Gulf War as the coalition forces pushed Saddam Husseins forces out of Kuwait. Yet more recently, the US government named Syria a member of the "Axis of Evil" for supporting terrorism and trying to obtain weapons of mass destruction. Syria also has a history of conflict with it's Western neighbor Lebanon.
The Lebanese rule the Roost in the Middle East. The men dominate business in the Region and it seems hard to believe in their homeland things are so tough with border issues and rampant unemployment. The Lebanese Constitution establishes a "controlled government" with power shared equally between the Christians and Muslims. The country has been rocked by civil war and fighting with two of their neighbors - Israel and Syria. There is a sense of superiority by the people of Lebanese decent that borders on blatant racism. It is clear they feel (in general) that they are the superior people of the region, and they look down at people from other countries as not equals. Sadly, Hezbollah has gained control of Southern Lebanon. I wish I would have visited Lebanon when I first arrived here, now it would not be safe enough for an American. There are millions of Lebanese Ex Pats (6 out of every 7 Lebanese citizen live outside of their homeland) spread throughout the Middle East and South America.
South of Lebanon, there is Israel. They are isolated in the Middle East with virtually no friends. Many maps made in the region don't even have Israel on the map. In conversations with many Arabs, the general consensus here is that the Israeli Jewish Government needs to "go away" (Jews should leave or be annihilated) and the land be given to the Palestinians. It is a sad state of affairs that won't be resolved in my lifetime. I probably should not blog at length about it at this time, but maybe when my exit date from the middle East is firm, I will share my views, and give the way (according to John) to peace in the Middle east (at least about Israel).
Jordan is a Monarchy that has been a relatively stable Government. The Arab Spring may have put strains on the rulers but so far it has held on. Like most of the Monarchies in the region, relationships with the American Government seem relatively good. The countries on the Eastern side of the area (Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia) are all friendly to the West and to some extent most of these governments keep their people under control). Our American Naval Fleet has a huge base in the tiny nation of Bahrain. These oil rich countries enjoy our protection as they try and deal with extremist in their countries that are not happy with the closeness of their governments with the evil American Government.
Yemen is a country in Chaos in the South. The government is not in firm control, and Jihadist roam the streets freely, their only fear being an American Drone strike from the previously mentioned Saudi Air base. Next week, we will delve into the UAE.
Enough politics today, I am even tired of my rambling. As I write about the Region, I am reminded about how blessed I am to be an American. Speaking of America, some little notes about Americana here. I actually enjoy American Idol, but one of the funny things is that it is sponsored by Pepsi on the TV network here. So the entire show, all the Coke logos are blurred out. Even the glasses of beverage that sit on the tables in front of the judges are blurred out - too funny. My Spinney's bought in a new treat for us American Expats. Totino's Pizza's - yes those little cheap pizzas (ok- almost $3 here) never tasted so good...
My dad is a huge CSI tv show fan....well dad, here is your newest episode starring your youngest son - My CSI Dubai case. Last Saturday I went to the Dubai Mall for a quick lunch at Texas Roadhouse. When I returned to my Nissan Altima I was parked in. The guy sitting with his car blocking my escape was talking on his cell phone in his running car. I was about to honk my horn and cause a scene, when he saw me and jumped out of his car and approached me. He wanted to tell me, that 10 minutes earlier he witnessed a white SUV pull into the space next to my car and side swipe the whole passenger side. He further shared that he had the license number (which he handed to me) and said that after the car struck mine he had moved to another space across the Mall and he showed me the car. Both my passenger doors were damaged, as was the white SUV. There was a large security camera directly in front of my car. Even Danny Messimer (my great friend and Marietta, Georgia Police Major) could solve this crime. Well, I called the Police to report this hit and run. They asked me to come to the Dubai Mall Police Station. (yes - the same station that I had to deal with and blog about two years ago in my "Kuwaiti accident".)
Well the Police Officer was very friendly and quickly reached the conclusion that it was a case of hit and run. He told me how serious they take this and probably would arrest the driver, and he would face a huge fine, and possibly would have to leave the country. He looked the licence plate number up on line and phoned the owner - one Mr. Abdulaziz Alk******* (censored for my protection) of Al Ain. He showed up an hour later (driving his damaged car). He admitted parking "close" to my car and then relocating his car, to park more comfortably. After lengthy Arab dialog (a nice lady waiting for her turn with the police translated for me.) Mr Abdulaziz called someone, and within a few minutes another higher ranking Police Officer pulls in. They talk for two minutes and then Officer Ali (no, I am not making this up) says to me. That Mr. Abdulaziz is an Emirate citizen, and that I was mistaken, he did not hit my car. I was told that the camera doesn't confirm anything, and there would be no ticket issued. Mr. Abdulaziz did not have insurance (also against the law here), but that I should just have my minor repairs made on my own. The police wouldn't even issue an accident report, the other officer pulled me aside, and said that the gentlemen had privately agreed to pay the damages and have my car fixed as a gesture of good will....sigh. I left, and got my estimate and yes you guessed it, Mr. Abdulaziz so far is not paying....I will let you know the happy ending if and when it happens....
Baseball spring training games begin in America today, and I can not wait to come home in late March. I am going to go to at least one Baseball Game with my buddies....can't wait!
Have a nice weekend, and as always I am grateful for you...See you next Friday!
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