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Showing posts with label dubai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dubai. Show all posts

Saturday, August 09, 2025

BRICS Headquarters

 



1. Dubai, UAE

  • Why:

    • World-class infrastructure and connectivity (airports, ports, tech).

    • Politically neutral and already a hub for East–West trade.

    • Symbolic bridge between Asia, Africa, and Europe.

    • Pro-business regulatory environment.

2. Shanghai, China

  • Why:

    • Major BRICS member’s financial capital.

    • Global hub for trade, finance, and technology.

    • Demonstrates BRICS’ weight in the global economy.

    • Strong institutional capacity for hosting large organizations.

3. Johannesburg, South Africa

  • Why:

    • Represents the African continent’s economic powerhouse.

    • Would strengthen BRICS’ Global South identity.

    • Close ties to mining, commodities, and global trade flows.

    • Signals inclusivity beyond Asia-heavy influence.

4. São Paulo, Brazil

  • Why:

    • South America’s largest economy and financial hub.

    • Ensures BRICS headquarters isn’t Asia-centric.

    • Geographically balances representation across continents.

    • Symbolic commitment to multipolarity.

5. New Delhi, India

  • Why:

    • Strategically located between East and West.

    • Large, fast-growing democracy within BRICS.

    • Strong diplomatic network and experience in multilateral forums.

    • Reinforces BRICS’ commitment to inclusive development.

If BRICS wanted a symbolic, neutral “bridge” location, Dubai would probably win.
If it wanted maximum political weight, Shanghai or New Delhi would be the frontrunners.


 


Criteria

  1. Geopolitical Neutrality – How acceptable the location is to all BRICS members and potential new members.

  2. Economic Strength – Infrastructure, global financial connectivity, and ability to host major institutions.

  3. Symbolic Value – How well the city embodies BRICS’ multipolar, Global South identity.

Rank City Geopolitical Neutrality (1–10) Economic Strength (1–10) Symbolic Value (1–10) Total
1 Dubai 9 9 9 27
2 Johannesburg 8 7 10 25
3 New Delhi 7 8 9 24
4 Shanghai 6 10 8 24
5 São Paulo 8 8 7 23

Why This Ranking Works

  • Dubai (#1) – Checks all boxes: neutral, ultra-connected, symbolically “between” continents.

  • Johannesburg (#2) – Powerful African symbolism; would reinforce BRICS’ Global South leadership.

  • New Delhi (#3) – Politically important and geographically central to the group’s footprint.

  • Shanghai (#4) – Strongest economic muscle, but less neutral due to China’s global strategic rivalries.

  • São Paulo (#5) – Balances continents, but geographic distance from Asia-Africa-Europe trade routes slightly reduces practicality.

If BRICS wanted maximum operational efficiency, Dubai or Shanghai make the most sense.
If it wanted maximum symbolic impact, Johannesburg or New Delhi might win.





Structure: Multi-City, Function-Based HQ

Instead of one permanent capital, BRICS would have three core hubs plus rotating summit hosts.

1. Dubai – Executive & Administrative HQ

  • Role: Permanent seat of the BRICS Secretariat (day-to-day operations, coordination of committees, staff base).

  • Why:

    • Politically neutral and easily accessible for all members.

    • State-of-the-art infrastructure and stable business climate.

    • A symbolic bridge between East, West, and the Global South.

2. Shanghai – Economic & Trade Hub

  • Role: Host the BRICS Development Bank, trade negotiation offices, and data/innovation centers.

  • Why:

    • China is the largest BRICS economy and a major trade driver.

    • Global financial integration and advanced digital systems.

    • Capacity to host large financial and tech-focused agencies.

3. Johannesburg – Global South Diplomatic Hub

  • Role: BRICS Global South Forum for political coordination, development programs, and Africa outreach.

  • Why:

    • Ensures Africa’s voice is central, reinforcing inclusivity.

    • Symbolic anchor in the southern hemisphere.

    • Access point for cooperation with African Union and developing countries.

Rotating Annual Summit

  • Format: The annual BRICS leaders’ summit rotates among member states (New Delhi, São Paulo, Moscow, etc.).

  • Benefits:

    • Spreads diplomatic prestige evenly.

    • Strengthens national ownership and domestic visibility.

    • Brings BRICS brand closer to local populations in each country.

Advantages of This Model

  1. Geopolitical Balance: No single member dominates the organization.

  2. Operational Efficiency: Each city specializes in what it does best.

  3. Symbolic Inclusivity: Africa, Asia, and the Middle East all represented.

  4. Scalability: New hubs could be added if BRICS expands (e.g., São Paulo as Latin American hub).


 




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Thursday, August 07, 2025

Beyond BRICS: A New Vision for a Multipolar World Order

 



Beyond BRICS: A New Vision for a Multipolar World Order

The global balance of power is shifting. The old institutions built in the aftermath of World War II—led by the United Nations, the IMF, and the World Bank—no longer represent the interests and demographics of the 21st century. The BRICS bloc, originally an acronym coined for economic convenience, has evolved into something larger: a geopolitical movement seeking a more equitable world order. But it now faces a crossroads. If BRICS is to lead in shaping the future, it must transcend its original identity.

It’s time for BRICS to be reborn—with a new name, a permanent headquarters, and a bold voting formula that reflects the realities of a multipolar world.

A New Name for a New Era

BRICS—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—was never meant to be an institution. It was an investment banker’s acronym. Yet, over the years, it has become a geopolitical bloc, expanding its ranks and ambitions. With new members joining and dozens of countries expressing interest, a narrow acronym is no longer sufficient.

This new institution needs a name that signals openness, inclusion, and purpose. Names such as:

  • GEMO: Global Equitable Multipolar Organization

  • PEACE: Partnership for Economic Autonomy, Cooperation, and Equity

  • WEO: World Equity Organization

  • GNP+: Global Nations Partnership (Plus)

Whatever the final name, it should speak to values, not just geography or GDP. This is about justice, representation, and the rewriting of the post-colonial global contract.

Dubai: The Right Place for a Global Headquarters

If location signals intent, then Dubai is the ideal headquarters for the next-generation global organization. Why?

  • Geographical neutrality: Dubai sits at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe.

  • Modern infrastructure: It boasts one of the most advanced transportation and communication hubs in the world.

  • Symbolism: Dubai is a testament to what’s possible when vision meets investment—making it the perfect home for an institution imagining a better world order.

  • Diplomatic accessibility: The UAE has maintained cordial ties across geopolitical divides, making it a hub for multilateral diplomacy.

The World Government of Tomorrow, if it is to be born anywhere, can be born in Dubai.

Voting Formula: Fairness Reimagined (40–40–20)

One of the biggest failures of current global institutions like the UN Security Council is the disproportionate voting power given to a few countries—often relics of a bygone era. The new institution must reflect today's world, not the post-WWII status quo.

Here is a bold new formula:

40–40–20 Voting Structure
✅ 40% Weight — GDP Contribution
✅ 40% Weight — Population Share
✅ 20% Weight — One Country, One Vote (Sovereignty)

This formula balances economic power, demographic representation, and state sovereignty. It recognizes both scale and principle.

  • GDP weight ensures those contributing more economically have a voice proportionate to their investment.

  • Population weight corrects decades of underrepresentation of populous nations, especially in the Global South.

  • Sovereign equality preserves the dignity and legal parity of each nation, no matter how small.

This tri-partite formula ensures no one actor dominates. Instead, it encourages coalition-building, diplomacy, and compromise.

Open Membership: A Platform for All

Unlike the G7 or even the current BRICS, this new organization should be open to all interested countries willing to commit to the founding principles:

  • Economic cooperation based on mutual benefit

  • Non-intervention and respect for sovereignty

  • Commitment to global peace and climate justice

  • Building an inclusive international financial system

By opening its doors, the new bloc can emerge as a democratized counterweight to exclusive Western-dominated institutions. It doesn't aim to divide the world, but to rebalance it.

Conclusion: The Time Is Now

The world doesn’t need a new Cold War. It needs a new Global Compact—one where power is shared, justice is real, and every nation has a seat at the table.

A rebranded BRICS with a meaningful name, a headquarters in Dubai, and a fair 40-40-20 voting system could be the spark that ignites a multipolar world of cooperation instead of competition. The age of domination must give way to the age of dignity.

Let the new institution rise—not as a rival to the West, but as an equal partner in shaping the peace, prosperity, and purpose of the 21st century.


 

ब्रिक्स से आगे: एक बहुध्रुवीय विश्व व्यवस्था के लिए नया दृष्टिकोण

विश्व शक्ति संतुलन तेजी से बदल रहा है। द्वितीय विश्व युद्ध के बाद स्थापित संस्थाएँ—जैसे कि संयुक्त राष्ट्र, IMF और विश्व बैंक—अब 21वीं सदी के हितों और जनसांख्यिकी का प्रतिनिधित्व नहीं करतीं। BRICS समूह, जो मूल रूप से एक आर्थिक संक्षेपाक्षर था, अब एक बड़े उद्देश्य की ओर बढ़ चुका है: एक अधिक न्यायसंगत वैश्विक व्यवस्था की स्थापना। लेकिन अब यह एक चौराहे पर खड़ा है। यदि BRICS को भविष्य को आकार देना है, तो उसे अपनी मूल पहचान से आगे बढ़ना होगा।

अब समय आ गया है कि BRICS का पुनर्जन्म हो—एक नए नाम, एक स्थायी मुख्यालय, और एक साहसी मतदान सूत्र के साथ जो 21वीं सदी की बहुध्रुवीय सच्चाई को दर्शाता है।

एक नया नाम, एक नया युग

BRICS—ब्राज़ील, रूस, भारत, चीन और दक्षिण अफ्रीका—मूलतः एक निवेश बैंकर द्वारा गढ़ा गया शब्द था। लेकिन वर्षों के दौरान, यह एक भू-राजनीतिक संगठन बन गया, जो अब विस्तार कर रहा है और नए सदस्य जोड़ रहा है। ऐसे में यह सीमित नाम अब उपयुक्त नहीं है।

इस नए संगठन को एक ऐसा नाम चाहिए जो समावेश, उद्देश्य और न्याय को दर्शाए। कुछ संभावित नाम हो सकते हैं:

  • GEMO: ग्लोबल इक्विटेबल मल्टीपोलर ऑर्गनाइज़ेशन

  • PEACE: पार्टनरशिप फॉर इकोनॉमिक ऑटोनॉमी, कोऑपरेशन एंड इक्विटी

  • WEO: वर्ल्ड इक्विटी ऑर्गनाइज़ेशन

  • GNP+: ग्लोबल नेशंस पार्टनरशिप (प्लस)

जो भी नाम चुना जाए, वह केवल भौगोलिक या आर्थिक संकेत नहीं बल्कि मूल्यों को प्रकट करना चाहिए—न्याय, भागीदारी और पुनर्निर्माण।

मुख्यालय: दुबई—एक आदर्श स्थान

यदि स्थान इरादों का संकेत देता है, तो दुबई इस नए वैश्विक संगठन के लिए आदर्श मुख्यालय है। क्यों?

  • भौगोलिक तटस्थता: दुबई एशिया, अफ्रीका और यूरोप के केंद्र में स्थित है।

  • आधुनिक अवसंरचना: यह विश्व के सबसे उन्नत परिवहन और संचार केंद्रों में से एक है।

  • प्रतीकात्मकता: दुबई एक उदाहरण है कि दूरदृष्टि और निवेश से क्या संभव हो सकता है।

  • राजनयिक पहुंच: UAE ने विभिन्न गुटों से अच्छे संबंध बनाए रखे हैं, जिससे यह बहुपक्षीय संवाद का केंद्र बन गया है।

यदि "भविष्य की विश्व सरकार" कहीं जन्म ले सकती है, तो वह दुबई हो सकता है।

मतदान सूत्र: न्याय की नई परिभाषा (40–40–20)

UN सुरक्षा परिषद जैसी वर्तमान वैश्विक संस्थाओं की सबसे बड़ी विफलता यह है कि इनमें कुछ देशों को अत्यधिक शक्ति प्राप्त है—जो अब पुरानी हो चुकी है। नया संगठन आज की दुनिया का प्रतिनिधित्व करना चाहिए, न कि 1945 की।

एक साहसी और संतुलित सूत्र:

40–40–20 मतदान संरचना
✅ 40% — GDP (आर्थिक योगदान)
✅ 40% — जनसंख्या का प्रतिनिधित्व
✅ 20% — प्रत्येक देश को एक वोट (संप्रभुता का सम्मान)

यह सूत्र आर्थिक शक्ति, जनसंख्या आधारित प्रतिनिधित्व, और राज्य संप्रभुता—तीनों का संतुलन प्रदान करता है:

  • GDP आधारित वोटिंग से आर्थिक योगदान को मान्यता मिलती है।

  • जनसंख्या आधारित वोटिंग से भारत, चीन, अफ्रीका जैसे देशों को न्यायसंगत भागीदारी मिलती है।

  • "एक देश, एक वोट" से छोटे देशों को भी गरिमा और सम्मान मिलता है।

यह फार्मूला सुनिश्चित करता है कि कोई एक देश हावी न हो। इसका उद्देश्य है—डिप्लोमेसी, समन्वय और साझेदारी।

सभी देशों के लिए खुला मंच

G7 या मौजूदा BRICS के विपरीत, यह नया संगठन उन सभी देशों के लिए खुला होना चाहिए जो इसके मूल सिद्धांतों को अपनाने के लिए तैयार हों:

  • पारस्परिक लाभ पर आधारित आर्थिक सहयोग

  • संप्रभुता और हस्तक्षेप न करने की नीति

  • वैश्विक शांति और जलवायु न्याय के प्रति प्रतिबद्धता

  • एक समावेशी अंतर्राष्ट्रीय वित्तीय प्रणाली का निर्माण

इस तरह, यह संगठन एक निष्पक्ष विकल्प बन सकता है पश्चिमी-प्रधान संस्थाओं के सामने। इसका लक्ष्य विभाजन नहीं बल्कि संतुलन स्थापित करना है।

निष्कर्ष: समय आ गया है

दुनिया को एक और शीत युद्ध की आवश्यकता नहीं है। उसे एक नई वैश्विक संधि की आवश्यकता है—जहाँ शक्ति साझा हो, न्याय वास्तविक हो, और हर देश को एक गरिमामय स्थान मिले।

एक नया, नामांकित BRICS—with दुबई में मुख्यालय और 40-40-20 मतदान प्रणाली—बहुध्रुवीय सहयोग पर आधारित दुनिया का निर्माण कर सकता है। वर्चस्व का युग समाप्त होना चाहिए—अब गरिमा का युग शुरू होना चाहिए।

यह संगठन पश्चिम का विरोधी नहीं बल्कि समान स्तर का भागीदार बन सकता है।
आइए, नया युग शुरू करें—साथ मिलकर।

टैग्स: ब्रिक्स, बहुध्रुवीय विश्व, वैश्विक शासन, दुबई, मतदान सुधार, वैश्विक दक्षिण, संयुक्त राष्ट्र, नई विश्व व्यवस्था, संप्रभुता



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Thursday, July 03, 2025

Gaza As A Country: A Vision for Peace, Prosperity, and a New Beginning


 

Gaza As A Country: A Vision for Peace, Prosperity, and a New Beginning

The Gaza Strip has long been associated with conflict, despair, and gridlock. But what if it could be reimagined—not as a battleground of ideologies and endless suffering—but as a self-sustaining, modern, thriving city-state? Gaza can be a country. A real one. But only if we have the courage to face reality and act decisively.

Step One: Remove Hamas, Just Like the Nazis Were Removed

No reconstruction or development is possible without first solving the politics. Hamas must go. This is not a matter of partisan debate but a non-negotiable prerequisite for peace. Just as the world had to remove the Nazi regime in Germany before Europe could rebuild, the extremist governance of Hamas must be dismantled—fully, firmly, and finally.

This isn't about punishing Palestinians. It's about liberating them from a regime that has dragged them into repeated wars and isolated them from the global economy. Once the forces of terror are disbanded and the region is demilitarized, Gaza can truly begin its journey toward peace.

Step Two: A Democratic Constitution

Like postwar Germany and Japan, the first breath of rebirth must be political. Gaza can and should become a full-fledged democracy—one that respects minority rights, fosters rule of law, and invites the international community to participate in building lasting institutions.

To ensure long-term peace, Gaza could be permanently barred from having a standing army, similar to postwar Japan. Security could be ensured through international peacekeeping during the transition phase and regional agreements later on.

Step Three: A Modern Urban Masterplan

Now comes the visionary part. Gaza’s coastal location is prime real estate—on the Mediterranean, with strategic access to Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. With the right planning, Gaza can become one of the great new cities of the world.

Imagine a grid-city of 10-story residential towers stretching from north to south. A masterfully planned transit system runs buses every 30 minutes across the Strip—north-south and east-west—ensuring full mobility for all. Clean, efficient, and beautiful.

Each building developer would retain ownership of two out of ten floors as a development incentive. The rest would go to residents and returning Palestinians from the West Bank and diaspora. Every Palestinian offered the option: trade in what you have in the West Bank, and receive twice that value in Gaza—maybe even two apartments, one to live in and one to rent.

Step Four: An Economic Engine That Pays For Itself

This city could become the Mediterranean’s next major hub—fancier than Saudi Arabia’s The Line, and infinitely more organic. A special economic zone could be established, allowing foreign direct investment, tax incentives for green tech and AI firms, and a focus on education, tourism, and innovation.

The project could pay for itself. With proper urban design and financial modeling, developers, residents, and global investors would all benefit. Think of it as “Startup Nation: Gaza Edition.” And unlike the Gulf’s mega-projects, Gaza’s version would be rooted in social equity—giving every Palestinian a stake in its success.

Step Five: A New Identity—Gaza as Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong

Let’s aim high. This can be a new Dubai, a new Singapore, a new Hong Kong—an independent city-state that offers opportunity, dignity, and future to millions.

With seaports, an international airport, tech parks, medical tourism, universities, and clean energy, Gaza could serve as a model not only for the Middle East but for post-conflict regions worldwide.

Final Thoughts: No More War, No More Terror, Full Democracy

The real leap is psychological. It is time to shift the mindset from resistance and reaction to resilience and regeneration. Gaza, if freed from war and rebuilt with democratic values, can rise as one of the great new experiments in peace and progress.

The path is difficult, yes—but not impossible.

The world must help Gaza become not a symbol of despair, but a symbol of what is possible.




एक नया देश: ग़ाज़ा के लिए शांति, समृद्धि और पुनर्जन्म की कल्पना

ग़ाज़ा पट्टी को लंबे समय से संघर्ष, निराशा और ठहराव का प्रतीक माना जाता रहा है। लेकिन क्या इसे फिर से कल्पित नहीं किया जा सकता — न कि विचारधाराओं के युद्धक्षेत्र के रूप में, बल्कि एक आत्मनिर्भर, आधुनिक और समृद्ध शहर-राज्य के रूप में?
ग़ाज़ा एक देश बन सकता है। एक असली देश। लेकिन इसके लिए हिम्मत चाहिए — सच्चाई का सामना करने की और निर्णायक कदम उठाने की।

पहला कदम: हमास को हटाना, जैसे नाज़ियों को हटाया गया

पुनर्निर्माण या विकास तभी संभव है जब पहले राजनीति को सुलझाया जाए। हमास को हटाना अनिवार्य है। यह कोई पक्षपात नहीं बल्कि शांति की दिशा में पहला और अनिवार्य कदम है।

जैसे द्वितीय विश्व युद्ध के बाद जर्मनी से नाज़ी शासन को हटाना आवश्यक था, वैसे ही ग़ाज़ा में चरमपंथी शासन का अंत होना ज़रूरी है। यह फिलिस्तीनियों को दंड देने की बात नहीं है — बल्कि उन्हें आज़ाद करने की बात है उस व्यवस्था से जिसने उन्हें बार-बार युद्ध में झोंका है और वैश्विक अर्थव्यवस्था से काट दिया है।

दूसरा कदम: एक लोकतांत्रिक संविधान

जैसे जर्मनी और जापान ने युद्ध के बाद लोकतंत्र अपनाया, वैसे ही ग़ाज़ा को भी एक पूर्ण लोकतंत्र बनना होगा। एक ऐसा देश जो क़ानून के शासन में विश्वास रखे, अल्पसंख्यकों के अधिकारों की रक्षा करे, और वैश्विक समुदाय के साथ मिलकर मज़बूत संस्थाएं बनाए।

स्थायी शांति के लिए ग़ाज़ा को सेना रखने से रोका जा सकता है, जैसा कि जापान के साथ हुआ। सुरक्षा की ज़िम्मेदारी शुरुआत में अंतरराष्ट्रीय शांति रक्षक बल उठा सकते हैं।

तीसरा कदम: एक आधुनिक शहर की योजना

अब कल्पना कीजिए: भूमध्य सागर के किनारे बसे ग़ाज़ा को एक सुंदर, सुव्यवस्थित ग्रिड शहर के रूप में, जिसमें दस मंज़िला इमारतें हों, साफ़ सड़कें हों, और उत्तर-दक्षिण, पूर्व-पश्चिम दिशा में हर 30 मिनट पर चलने वाली बसें हों।

निर्माणकर्ता को हर इमारत के दो मंज़िलें दी जाएंगी। बाक़ी ग़ाज़ा के निवासियों और वेस्ट बैंक से आने वालों को मिलेंगी। प्रस्ताव यह होगा: वेस्ट बैंक में जो संपत्ति है, उसके बदले ग़ाज़ा में उसकी दोगुनी कीमत की संपत्ति दी जाएगी — शायद दो फ्लैट, एक अपने लिए और एक किराए पर देने के लिए।

चौथा कदम: एक आत्मनिर्भर आर्थिक मॉडल

यह शहर मध्य पूर्व का अगला बड़ा केंद्र बन सकता है — सऊदी अरब के 'The Line' से बेहतर और ज़्यादा व्यावहारिक।

यहां एक विशेष आर्थिक क्षेत्र (Special Economic Zone) बनाया जा सकता है, जहां विदेशी निवेश को प्रोत्साहन मिले, टैक्स छूट मिले, ग्रीन टेक और AI कंपनियों को स्थान मिले, और शिक्षा, पर्यटन और नवाचार पर ज़ोर हो।

सही वित्तीय मॉडल के साथ यह परियोजना अपने आप को फंड कर सकती है। हर कोई लाभ में होगा — स्थानीय निवासी, डेवलपर्स, निवेशक। यह होगा "Startup Nation: Gaza Edition"।

पांचवां कदम: दुबई, सिंगापुर, हांगकांग जैसी पहचान

लक्ष्य बड़ा होना चाहिए। यह ग़ाज़ा दुबई बन सकता है, यह सिंगापुर बन सकता है, यह हांगकांग बन सकता है — एक स्वतंत्र, समृद्ध और प्रगतिशील शहर-राज्य।

यहां बंदरगाह, अंतरराष्ट्रीय हवाई अड्डा, टेक पार्क, मेडिकल टूरिज्म, विश्वविद्यालय और स्वच्छ ऊर्जा सब कुछ हो सकता है। यह न केवल मध्य पूर्व के लिए बल्कि पूरी दुनिया के लिए एक नया मॉडल बन सकता है।

अंतिम विचार: कोई और युद्ध नहीं, कोई और आतंक नहीं, सिर्फ़ लोकतंत्र

मानसिकता बदलनी होगी। संघर्ष और प्रतिक्रियावाद की जगह लचीलापन और पुनर्निर्माण की सोच को अपनाना होगा। अगर ग़ाज़ा को युद्ध से मुक्त किया जाए और लोकतंत्र के साथ पुनर्निर्माण किया जाए, तो यह दुनिया के महान प्रयोगों में से एक बन सकता है।

रास्ता कठिन है, लेकिन नामुमकिन नहीं।

दुनिया को ग़ाज़ा को एक नया प्रतीक बनाना होगा — निराशा का नहीं, बल्कि संभावनाओं का।







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Saturday, December 14, 2019

UAE: Wonder Nation



The UAE is a remarkable nation. For a country with a population of 10 million to hit the Top 10 countries index on power, I mean that is quite something. This is an Israel-like wow factor going on. You have to ask, how did this come to be?

I have only gotten to learn about the UAE in recent weeks. There was so much I did not know. There is so much I still don't know.

But I came to learn that the federation was a voluntary coming together of seven different adjacent monarchies. I don't know of another example in the world where something like that happened. Every other example I know is of forceful conquest. Akbar would conquer in India and then turn the local king into his local tax collector. That was considered enlightened and generous.

Then I thought the monarch of the UAE simply prefers the title of president. But no, that is actually a duly elected position.

Then, boom, I learned the UAE has a federal parliament that, step by step, is moving towards universal franchise. The idea is that down the line every citizen of the UAE will vote. That is a declared goal. And I think that is remarkable. The UAE did not need an Arab Spring to get to this.

But, get this. Half of the federal parliament is female, by royal decree. Or, rather, presidential decree. That happened only a few weeks ago. And there were no hiccups in the population after that. Women in America don't see this happening for another 100 years.

Even more remarkable, the UAE passed anti-gender hostility in the workplace set of laws recently. They are remarkably enlightened, really well thought through. I don't see the US Congress doing something like that, and the #MeToo movement has raged in America for several years now.

Dubai is the most culturally diverse city on earth. And by a wide, wide margin. That is my number one thing to like about Dubai. In Dubai 10% are citizens, 90% are people who have come from 200 plus countries to work, make a living. Shanghai beats NYC on physical infrastructure. But Shanghai is nowhere close to attempting NYC's diversity. And Dubai makes NYC look like a 19th-century city.

A random global poll might show that Dubai is what people know. But the UAE is way more than Dubai. Abu Dhabi is only 90 miles away. That is a sweet 10 minutes on a hyperloop.

Dubai has already done what the region at large needs to do. Dubai was forced on that path because it had less oil than others. But now it has created a roadmap for the region at large. The post-oil future looks like Dubai. I think Dubai is the inspiration for NEOM.

Dubai: Remarkable City
NEOM: A Fundamental Departure For All Humanity?


Exciting as the present is, the future is even more exciting. It is my firm belief that Africa and South Asia are the next two Chinas. And the twin cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi are well situated. What Hong Kong did for China Dubai could do for Africa and South Asia.

As the region at large attempts to emulate Dubai, Dubai simply needs to move higher up on the economic food chain. That higher ground is technology. What will happen in tech over the next 25 years is 100 times bigger than what has happened over the past 25. The Internet has been the appetizer. India has the tech human capital that powered Silicon Valley. The Middle East has the money. And the market is all around.







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Thursday, November 21, 2019

"UAE Against All Violence And Terrorism"



10 most commonly reported but wrong 'facts' about Dubai: Get it right International media usually get its facts wrong on Dubai. Here are the Top 10 examples



Hate Less, Love More (Via Talal Al Murad)
NEOM: Wide Participation Will Enhance Chance Of Success
Getting To Know Mustafa Kheriba
The Real Burj Khalifa (In The Foreground)
Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Of Dubai Has A Major Social Media Presence
Jassim Mohammed Al Seddiqi: Renaissance Man In The Gulf
My Real Estate Tech Startup Has A Loan Investment
To: The Crown Prince Of Dubai
Elon Musk's Giant Blind Spot: Human Beings

That who is profiting from the war in Yemen is the military-industrial complex in the United States.



Thoughts On The Middle East
Formula For Peace Between Israel And Palestine
The Stupidity Of The Ayodhya Dispute
Saudi-Iran: Imran Is The Only One Who Can
Can't Stop Water To Pakistan
New Capitalism Is Techno Capitalism, Hello Marc
Dubai, Pakistan, Peace, Prosperity
The Dubai Sheikh Is A Business School Case Study
South Asians Working In The Gulf
Masa, MBS, And The Broader Investment Climate

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Tuesday, November 05, 2019

Thoughts On The Middle East

I have had a chance to think a lot about the Middle East in recent weeks.

The first thing I see is, the region has a 10-year window in which to diversify their economies or face decline. The city of Dubai has already done what the region at large needs to do. I believe that realization is there. And countries across the region are scrambling to move. Major moves are being plotted and made.

Two, where does Dubai go from here? Dubai has to move up the economic food chain. And that is mostly to do with technology. If diversification is achieved, money becomes the new oil, the gift that keeps giving.

Three, politics. First of all, I have to admit I don't know much. I have not had the chance to study in-depth. At some point, I'd like to. A few weeks ago I came across this nugget of information, that the United Arab Emirates has a federal parliament that has a roadmap to universal franchise. Not knowing that was not stupid. It was not even ignorant. Hey, you don't know what you don't know. But it sure was uninformed. Second, I have to be open-minded about possibilities. Let's just take that UAE example. Finally, when there is a universal franchise, that still would not make the monarch of the UAE someone like Queen Elizabeth. Let's face it, Queen Elizabeth rubber stamps whatever the British parliament comes up with. And recently it has come up with much nonsense. The monarch of the UAE does not even hold that title. He calls himself president. I see that as an evolving situation. Three, Iran. I think we from afar underestimate how much distrust Iran arouses among the Gulf countries. Whereas Iran thinks of itself as a country on a mission.

I would like to read up and learn and become rehearsed on the nuances of the domestic politics of many of these countries in the Gulf. For one, it is of interest to me.

Four, Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. I see Africa and South Asia as the next two Chinas. When the politics part is tidied up a little, Africa and South Asia could grow faster than China did. And I see the possibility of Dubai playing the role Hong Kong played in the economic rise of China. China needed FDI. And the world only trusted Hong Kong with it. 

Five, culture and religion. I find the music and the language fascinating. I was looking at some rudimentary videos on YouTube with thoughts of teaching myself some Arabic recently. When I visit Dubai, there is a list of mosques I'd like to visit. I definitely would want to visit that mosque in Abu Dhabi. And I read about a mosque in Dubai where the sermon on Friday is delivered in English. I would like to attend that service. And yes, you can't visit Dubai and not watch a Bollywood movie.

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High speed falcon vs high speed camera 🎥

A post shared by Fazza (@faz3) on

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Monday, October 14, 2019

The Three Crown Princes Of The Gulf







MBS, MBZ, And Fazza.

One of the journalists I quoted in my blog post yesterday that I also emailed has emailed me back saying the photo I posted was that of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, not the president.

These would be the monarchs.



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Sunday, October 13, 2019

UAE's Federal National Council

I just learned for the first time that there is something called the Federal National Council in the UAE, which is where Dubai is. And I am like, Da what now? How come I never heard of this before? What is the Federal National Council? And who is Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan? Is he the dude who gets called MBZ? The person who is one step senior to the ruler of Dubai? I have seen pictures. Heck, I have seen him in a video posted on the YouTube channel of the Crown Prince of Dubai where he attends a wedding. And what a decree! To the women in the US, that is a pipedream. They don't see that happening for another 100 years!

The president of the UAE just decided that half his parliament is going to be female. Just like that. And I don't see the UAE society having hiccups and constipations over this.



10 most commonly reported but wrong 'facts' about Dubai: Get it right International media usually get its facts wrong on Dubai. Here are the Top 10 examples ...... President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s decree to increase women’s representation in this month’s Federal National Council (FNC) elections to 50 per cent, shows that there is a drive for gender equality.

So, first, let me look up Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. I know Bin means son of. As in, Bin Salman means son of Salman. That much I know. Jesus was referred to as Jesus Bin Joseph. As in, Jesus, Son Of Joseph. And thank you Google. Here we go. Hello Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.





I was right. This is who I had in mind.

Now let me look up UAE's Federal National Council. Hello Google.

Federal National Council
All you need to know about UAE's Federal National Council
479 candidates listed for UAE Federal National Council Elections

The UAE is some kind of a federation, and that is interesting because that means a bunch of monarchies came together and decided to form a country. It was a voluntary act. It is not like the ruler of Abu Dhabi conquered Dubai and formed the UAE. I don't know of another example of such a formation. 13 American states came together and formed the USA. But that was a few hundred years ago.

Federal National Council the federal authority of the United Arab Emirates formed to represent the general Emirati people.[1] The FNC consists of 40 members with advisory tasks in the House of Legislative Council. Twenty members are elected by the citizens of the UAE through an electoral college, while the remaining twenty are appointed by the rulers of each emirate ..... The National Election Committee (NEC) conducts the election and is authorized to nominate the electoral college members....... The Federal National Council (FNC) was formed under the Provisional Constitution of the United Arab Emirates in 1971 as a permanent component of the country's governing structure, which also includes the Supreme Council, President, Cabinet and Judiciary. Before 2006, all members of the FNC were picked by the Rulers of the emirates. ...... Throughout its history, the Council has influenced the Federal Government to draft laws. Original draft laws from the Cabinet are amended by the Council to suit the needs of the citizens which they represent....... The FNC is responsible under the Constitution for examining, and, if it wishes, amending, all proposed federal legislation, and is empowered to summon and to question any Federal Minister regarding Ministry performance. One of the main duties of the FNC is to discuss the annual budget. Specialized sub-committees and a Research and Studies Unit have been formed to assist FNC members to cope with the increasing demands of modern government......... Not all UAE nationals were allowed to vote or run for office. 6,689 out of some 800,000 Emirati citizens in the country were eligible to take part in 2006 election. Those eligible were chosen by the rulers of the emirates....... By the end of 2003, all forty members of the FNC were male......

Election officials billed the polls as a trial run they hoped will pave the way for universal suffrage in the coming years.

....... 2011 parliamentary election had an electoral college of 129,274 members, nearly 20 times more than in 2006. The new electoral college includes about 12% of UAE nationals. Approximately 35% of the members were under 30 years of age and 46% were women. 35,877 voters casted their vote, making a turnout of 27.75%. ........ Many candidates pledged to provide better education and health care and more housing for young UAE nationals. They also promised to strengthen the UAE identity and culture. Several candidates used social media networks such as Facebook to present their plans...... The electoral college increased from 129,274 in 2011 to 224,279 in 2015. All candidates ran as independents. During election campaigning, many candidates focused on social issues, promising to provide better housing and more health services. Others focused on job creation and better educational services. 79,157 voters casted their vote. Turnout increased from 27.25% to 35.29%. ......... Eligible voters outside the country were allowed to vote for the first time in 2015 ...... The electoral college increased from 224,279 in 2015 to 337,738 in 2019. All candidates ran as independents. 117,592 voters casted their vote. Turnout slightly decreased from 35.29% to 34.81%.
All you need to know about UAE's Federal National Council The Federal National Council (FNC) is the consultative council, the parliamentary body of the UAE. It was formed as per the provisions of the UAE's Constitution. The main functions of the FNC as per Articles 89 to 92 include: Passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws including financial bills, examining the Annual General Budget draft law and the draft law of the final accounts, discussing international treaties and agreements, discussing general subjects pertaining to the affairs of the federation and offering recommendations. The draft law or bill passed by the FNC becomes a law only after approval by the President. .......

As per a directive by the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Emirati women must occupy 50 per cent of the FNC seats.

........ In 2006, Sheikh Khalifa approved the Supreme Council Resolution No. 4 of 2006, which revised the method of selecting the representatives of the emirates by combining the process of election and appointment. Thus, the Ruler's Court in each of the seven emirates would appoint half of the members while the electoral bodies representing the citizens would elect the other half. ....... A member of the FNC cannot at the same time hold a public office in the UAE including ministerial portfolios. ...... the FNC shall hold an annual ordinary session lasting not less than seven months. The council sits from the third week of October, thus reducing the length of the parliamentary recess to coincide with the Cabinet's work and allowing further cooperation between the government and the FNC. It may be called into extraordinary session whenever the need arises........ The meetings of the FNC are open to the public but may be held in camera if so requested by the government's representative, the President of the Council or one-third of its members......... The members of an emirate's electoral college are chosen by the Ruler of that emirate. ........ Members can vote from both inside and outside the UAE. ............ Voting outside the UAE is done manually through ballot papers, at the polling stations set at UAE embassies and consulates........

Some 495 Emiratis are competing for 20 FNC seats

....... Over 337,738 Emiratis will vote during the polls, marking a 50.58 per cent increase from 224,281 electoral college members in 2015........ "Working hours for mothers in the private sector should be reduced to six from eight to enable the women get time to look after their small children," said Al Mazrouei, adding that widows should also be given more support to educate their orphaned children. ......... The 56-year-old Emirati has raised his concerns about

the issue of high unemployment among young Emirati graduates

...... "I am using all acceptable platforms, social media and the mainstream media to reach out to voters. It's tough but exciting but I am hopeful I will make it to the FNC," said Al Marar, adding that he wants to be elected to the country's parliament so that he could raise the need for fight against terrorism and radicalism through education and control of drug abuse among youngsters through awareness campaigns....... "Many young Emiratis are unemployed despite having qualifications required in the job market. And this really bothers me a lot," said Al Marar...... Al Rahoumi, who served as the head of the House's Emiratisation Committee, said he also wants to see government forcing private and government firms, to give vacant positions to Emiratis who have the required qualifications before considering expats.
479 candidates listed for UAE Federal National Council Elections

I am looking at this and thinking, this is a wonderful opportunity for a political experiment.



Just from reading these few articles that are not even that in-depth, and can not be considered scholarly, I see a few things.
  1. The monarch(s) of the UAE voluntarily decided that half of the FNC will be elected. All 40 used to be nominated. Also, they started with the electoral college idea. And at each subsequent election, the size of that electoral college has been expanded. The stated goal all along has been universal suffrage, meaning, every citizen votes.
  2. 20 of the 40 are nominated by the monarch, true. But already it has been decided by royal decree that half of the 40 will be female. I gather that applies both to the elected and the nominated. If you ask me, this is huge. Name me one western democracy where half of a parliament is female. I don't know one. There might be some tiny country hiding somewhere in Europe that has that. But if they do, please educate me.
  3. Even the 20 nominated by the monarch, I am sure, are as per advice by whatever council of advisors is in place. It is not like one morning the monarch wakes up and starts coming up with names. Down the line, it is possible for the monarch to set definite criteria. The president of India does that. He nominates some people to the Upper House in India. That is how the cricket superstar Sachin Tendulkar ended up there. Word is, he has poor attendance!
  4. If you look at the history of the American democracy, the biggest fear the so-called Founding Fathers (dead white men) had was mob rule, not monarchy. They created a republic, not a democracy because they feared mob rule. They created a bicameral legislature because they feared mob rule. They created three co-equal branches of government because they feared mob rule. They created plenty of room for what they explicitly referred to as "the cooling of passions."
  5. As a place like the UAE marches towards universal suffrage, I think this provides a wonderful opportunity to create a cutting edge government. It is like Indians who did not have landlines went straight to mobile phones. Rwanda is the top country for drones today precisely because they don't have roads and bridges.
  6. Only a few short weeks ago when I started talking to an investment firm in Bahrain, I googled up that country. To my surprise, the monarch of Bahrain had also put in place a parliament. But the Bahrain experience has been that when you create a directly elected group of people, you might end up with a bunch of people who have this particular interpretation of Islam. In the west the word they use is Islamist. I am not a big fan of the word. (Because, try saying Christianist!) But they do come across as intolerant and oppressive. During the golden age of Islam that lasted 700 years, there was this tremendous thirst for knowledge. And the acquisition of knowledge is not possible in an environment where scholars can't peacefully put out their thoughts and debate and discuss. Disagreement is normal. And you don't have to agree with someone, but you do have to make them feel like you heard them, and you understood what they had to say. There is no knowledge without that basic discourse. For a parliament to be a parliament, that basic discourse has to be present. A lot of people worry today that basic discourse is an endangered species in American democracy. In America, a lot of people no longer talk to each other. They just talk past each other.
  7. It is not enough to have elections. It is very important that you cultivate the right political culture.
  8. A lot of the problems in American democracy, frankly, are spiritual.
  9. In this day and age, a debate is not enough. You need informed debate. And you need fast action. When the CEO of Facebook showed up in Washington DC, the people in Silicon Valley were laughing. There seemed to be this huge chasm between Silicon Valley and Capitol Hill.
  10. In DC they have this thing called the CBO, Congressional Budget Office. It is supposed to be nonpartisan. The CBO crunches the numbers. Lawmakers in DC can be amazingly parochial. One lawmaker once said, "I have been to Europe once, and that is enough!"
  11. It has to be noted that the Arab countries were doing Universal Basic Income before the West even had a name for it.
  12. Respect for the major faiths is not about saying, I will respect your God, and so you should respect mine, but about facing the fact that there is but one God, and that God is infinite, and that infinite God has spoken to a few different peoples. There is no God but God. God is infinite. What that means is, God is always going to be more and bigger than whatever you know God to be.




I will have more thoughts to share down the line. Frankly, I am salivating at the prospects of being able to come up with thoughts and suggestions. For one, I'd like maximum cooperation to create a city inside the city of Dubai.

Ends up I can't wait. So let me share some early thoughts right away.

  • This 50% female thing is really big. Because gender is the hardest issue any western democracy struggles with. Or any political system, period. I am like, really! Everything else that needs to be done is less tough compared to this.
  • The framework that is already in place is that the FNC (that I will simply call the UAE parliament) is headed towards its 20 elected members being popularly elected by all citizens of the UAE. That roadmap is already in place. And I think that is great.
  • 20 members not being directly elected is actually a good thing. Also, this is not two chambers. All 40 of them are in the same chamber. That is not the norm around the world. But I am seeing the merits of it. Down the line I can see the president putting clearer rules and guidelines in place saying these are the guidelines I use when I look to nominate people. Published guidelines.
  • Just like the President of the United States, the President of the UAE also has veto power. A law passed by the parliament has to pass the president's desk. I will have to see instances of this happening, I will have to take a closer look as to how that plays out in practice.
  • What about local government? Are there local governments in the UAE? Are there elections at the local level? How does that work?
  • What is the best possible way to take Dubai to the next level of economic growth? I believe that is not only a political question, but also a corporate question, also a culture question, also a technology question. What is the best possible city culture for tech and innovation? I'd like to answer that question in practice in Dubai by helping create a city inside a city, Dubai's very first tech city. Microsoft just hung a sign. They did not put any tech behind that signage.
A few weeks ago I learned sex outside of marriage is illegal in Dubai. People in many parts of the world will tell you, sex outside of marriage is wrong. But illegal? Well, where does that knowledge come from? It comes from God. Look up the Ten Commandments. Therein the same thing is implied. Why? The God of infinite knowledge has done his "thought experiments," has thought through every possible action and reaction and consequences, and laid down that decree on sex and marriage.

God's command is not arbitrary. You deviate and things don't work anymore. It is like saying, you have to respect Newton's Laws Of Motion if you want to take a rocket to space. You can't ignore those laws and still expect to carry a rocket to space. It is not possible to create an advanced society of any kind without fundamental respect for marriage.

And there are concrete implications. The day Dubai gets rid of the law that says sex outside of marriage is illegal will be the beginning of the end of Dubai. I hope the need to experiment and find out is not felt. Instead, you rely on faith. God has already thought this through.

Dubai's law that sex outside of marriage is illegal is not primitive. It is cutting edge. I'd like that law applied to global human trafficking. I'd like that law applied to human trafficking inside the USA.







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