Qatar's Emir Will Meet With Biden As U.S. Hunts Gas Supplies For Europe If Russia Invades Ukraine
Good day from REEDNEWSARABWORLD for Wednesday, January 26, 2022! Travel time. Key figures are preparing to move around the world to work on issues affecting Arab countries. In Qatar, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will travel to the United States for a meeting with President Joe Biden on January 31. The president of Israel, Isaac Herzog, will make the first visit by the country's head of state to the United Arab Emirates. And the new U.S. special envoy for the Horn of Africa, David Satterfield, will visit five countries including the UAE and Egypt to work toward a civilian government in Sudan.
U.S.-backed Kurdish forces are claiming complete control over the prison in northeastern Syria after six days of fighting. One day after Yemen's Houthis warned the United Arab Emirates not to pursue ground in Marib province, the UAE-backed Giants Brigades take over a key district. Iran's president says Iran might return to the 2015 nuclear agreement if the U.S. removes sanctions, and three hawkish U.S. nuclear negotiators in Vienna quit.
News from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and More.
Qatar's ruling emir will travel to Washington as the White House searches for gas supplies to Europe if Russia invades Ukraine. The meeting with President Joe Biden, planned for Monday, January 31, will be the first by Al Thani since Biden took office. Other issues such as Afghanistan will be on the table, but the focus will be on Qatar's major supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG). U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Qatar's foreign minister set the table in a phone call Monday, discussing the availability of Qatar's gas. The state company, Qatar Energy, is locked into long-term supply contracts which the company can't easily break.
Alarabiya, Qatar's emir to visit Washington on Jan. 31.
The Hill, Qatar emir to meet with Biden at White House next week.
Associated Press, Biden to meet Qatar leader as energy worries loom in Europe.
While Qatar is looked to as the possible leading supplier of gas to Europe in a crisis, U.S. officials made clear their search is world-wide. At an off-the-record background briefing, officials outlined their plans to assist Europe if Russia were to invade Ukraine and be sanctioned by the U.S. in turn. Qatar is first, but there are other suppliers.
White House, Background press call by senior administration officials on Russia-Ukraine economic deterrence.
The Kurdish-led militia in Syria says it has taken complete control of the prison at Hasaka after six days of fighting off an invasion by Islamic State forces. The prison held 3,500 militants, hundreds were freed during the battle, and from 600 to 800 detained young boys were used as human shields. The battle ended with "our entire control," a spokesman for the Kurdish Syrian Defense Forces said. But the battle demonstrated the resilience of the Islamic State in Syria and draws new attention to the prisoner problem: They are there because nobody knows what to do with them.
New York Times, Kurdish-led militia claims to retake prison stormed by ISIS.
AFP, Syria Kurds retake prison, ending six-day IS attack.
The prison attack in Syria shows that the Islamic State is "absolutely" growing stronger. One leading analyst said: "The fact that we're at a point where ISIS can do this has shown just how much they've grown." Analysts and researchers say they aren't surprised. While the international community all but took its eyes off Syria in recent years, ISIS didn't go away. "There is nothing new in what happened. We absolutely know how active they are," Vera Mironova of the Middle East Institute said. "It's just the logical next step."
Al Jazeera, Syria prison attack shows ISIL 'absolutely' growing stronger.
Yemen's Houthis attacked Abu Dhabi and warned the United Arab Emirates against fighting in Yemen's provinces. One day later, the UAE-backed Giants Brigades captured a key Marib district. Houthi fighters were driven out of Harib district, a strategic area south of Marib, after fierce fighting -- "hundreds were killed and wounded on both sides." There was no immediate comment from the Houthis.
Middle East Eye, Yemen: Houthis lose key Marib district after attack on UAE.
The death toll from a Saudi-led coalition air strike against a detention center in Yemen has risen to 91 and more than 200 were wounded. A Houthi administration health officer provided an update on the death toll after rescue efforts ended. Earlier, the United Nations had said at least 60 people were killed. The coalition said the facility was not on its no-target list that has been agreed with United Nations agencies.
Reuters, Death toll from Yemen detention centre strike rises to 91, Houthi minister says.
Yemen's internet has been restored. Residents said services were largely restored after a four-day outage, caused by air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition that damaged telecoms infrastructure and knocked out the internet to much of the country. The Iran-aligned Houthis said services were returned to all provinces after repairs.
Reuters, Yemen's internet service returns after four-day outage following air strike.
U.S. Republicans want the Biden administration to re-designate Yemen's Houthis as a terrorist organization and reimpose sanctions. Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, said he introduced a bill that would reverse a 2021 decision by the Biden administration that lifted sanctions off the Iran-backed Houthis.
Middle East Eye, Republicans pile pressure on Biden to re-designate Yemen's Houhis as 'terror group.'
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi says a revival of the 2015 nuclear agreement is possible if the United States removes sanctions. "If the other party removes the unjust sanctions, there will be a possibility to remove the pact," Raisi told Iran's state TV. In the negotiations in Vienna, the U.S. has shown that it's wary of removing sanctions until a full agreement is reached. Raisi also reiterated that Iran would consider direct talks with the U.S. if Iran feels it can get a "good deal." Talks now are indirect, through Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and China.
Alarabiya, Iran's Raisi says revival of 2015 deal possible if US lifts sanctions.
Three U.S. officers with hawkish views against Iran have left the nuclear negotiations in Vienna. Two officers had left before the State Department revealed this week that the U.S. deputy special envoy for Iran, Richard Nephew, had quit. The previous two officers were not identified in reports. The departure of all three from Vienna is leading to speculation that the Biden administration will settle for less than U.S. "hawks" want if an agreement is reached.
Independent, Three Iran hawks leave U.S. negotiating team in Vienna.
An Iranian court convicted the French tourist Benjamin Briere of espionage and sentenced him to eight years in prison. Briere, 36, has been held in Iran since 2020 after he was arrested in the desert near the Turkmenistan-Iran border for flying a helicam, a remote-controlled mini-helicopter used to take aerial images. Briere said he was not guilty of the charges and has been on a hunger strike.
Alarabiya, Iran sentences French national to 8 years' jail for spying: TV.
Saudi Arabia's cabinet has met in person for the first time in two years. King Salman chaired a cabinet meeting at Al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh, with discussions on the recent visit to Saudi Arabia by South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Yemen Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and other issues. After two years of remote meetings, the personal appearance of King Salman was viewed as the beginning of a return to normal life in Saudi Arabia, along with the return of students to schools.
Arab News, Saudi cabinet of ministers meets in person for first time in two years.
Saudi Arabia has restored full diplomatic relations with Thailand after a break of three decades. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, and the two sides agreed to trade ambassadors and close the chapter on hostility that started in 1989 with a jewel theft by a Thai worker from a Saudi royal palace.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held talks with Prayuth and they agreed to bury the hatchet and explore joint investment in energy, tourism, and other fields.
Associated Press, Saudi restores full ties with Thailand, to explore joint investment.
Israel's president will make the first visit to the United Arab Emirates by the country's head of state. Israeli President Isaac Herzog will fly to Abu Dhabi on Sunday and meet with UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, as well as other Emirati officials and members of the small Jewish community. The high-profile visit will cement the burgeoning relations between Israel and the UAE, following their agreement to normalize relations under the Abraham Accords.
Associated Press Herzog to make first UAE visit by Israeli head of state.
The new United States special envoy for the Horn of Africa, David Satterfield, will make a five-country visit including the United Arab Emirates and Egypt to discuss the ongoing crisis in Sudan. Satterfield will travel until February 4, also visiting Kenya, Israel, and Turkey. The U.S. State Department said Satterfield will meet with officials and "key stakeholders to promote democratic civilian rule in Sudan."
Alarabiya, US envoy Satterfield to visit 5 countries, including UAE and Israel, for Sudan talks.
Iraq's Supreme Court ruled that the speaker of parliament, Mohammed al-Halbousi, was reelected legally, rejecting an appeal by his opponents. Two opposition lawmakers had sought annulment of the parliament's opening session on January 9, but the Federal Supreme Court turned down the appeal, allowing the resumption of parliament sessions. The parliament now can deliberate over selection of a new president, who then will choose the next prime minister.
Alarabiya, Iraq's top court upholds the election of parliament speaker.
Basnews, Iraq's Supreme Court says parliament's first session was constitutional.
The World Bank said Lebanon's economy has shrunk by more than 58% while accusing Lebanon's leaders of being indifferent to the country's collapse. A report said the Lebanese officials had refused to adopt a credible recovery plan and start implementing reforms. "The scale and scope of Lebanon's deliberate depression are leading to the disintegration of key pillars of Lebanon's post-civil war political economy,: the World Bank report, entitled "The Great Denial," said.
Associated Press, World Bank: Lebanon's meltdown threatens social peace.
The Biden administration authorized more than $2 billion in arms sales to Egypt despite ongoing concerns about the country's human rights record. The State Department announced approval of the sale of military aircraft and air defense radar systems. The package includes 12 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft with related equipment, costing $2.2 billon, and three land-based radar units and their equipment, for $355 million.
CNN, Biden administration authorizes $2.5 billion in arms sales to Egypt despite human rights concerns .
Alarabiya, Pentagon: US State Department approves sale of aircraft, air defense radars to Egypt.
Democratic members of the U.S. Congress called on President Joe Biden's administration to withhold $130 million in aid to Egypt. The aid was withheld last year, and six congressmen said the funds should be reprogrammed and held back until Egypt meets human rights requirements. The lawmakers made their case in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Middle East Eye, Democrats urge Biden not to reward 'authoritarianism' and hold $130m in Egypt aid.
MORE: Saudi Arabia, Iraq sign electrical interconnection agreement, Arab News... Saudi Arabia's gas production hits record high, OilPrice... Turkey said to see inflation rate peaking at about 40% in 2022, Bloomberg... Algeria takes delivery of first of C-130J Super Hercules, Defenceweb.... Sovereign fund of Egypt aims to double $1 bn investment portfolio in 2022, The National... Egypt targets economic growth of 5.7% in next financial year, Reuters... Sudan raises electricity prices as it pushes forward with reforms, Reuters.
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The Houthis know they can't defeat the United Arab Emirates militarily. The UAE is considered one of the few credible military forces in the Gulf region. Nor is the UAE expected to withdraw from the Yemen conflict, and after Houthi missile attacks on Abu Dhabi, "logic dictates that the UAE will respond to the attacks." Instead, by striking the Emirates, the Houthi militants are targeting the UAE's ambitions for development and displaying symbols of its economic power. Geostrategy consultant Marc Goutalier is interviewed by France 24.
France 24, Attacks on the UAE: 'A new chapter has begun in the Yemen conflict.'
The evidence of a resurgence of the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq is mounting day by day. The fact that ISIS was able to mount multiple, coordinated, and sophisticated attacks is evidence that what had been believed to be disparate sleeper cells are re-emerging as a more serious threat. "It's a wakeup call for regional players, for national players, that ISIS is not over, that the fight is not over."
New York Times, Prison attack in Syria is latest sign of ISIS resurgence.
The "Blue Diamond Affair" in Saudi Arabia and Thailand was sparked by a 1989 jewel theft that led to a trail of murder, mystery, and intrigue. It began with a Thai worker, Kriangkrai Techamong, a cleaner at a palace in Riyadh who decided to clean out a hoard of precious gems. The palace belonged to Prince Faisal bin Fahd, eldest son of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. Thai police returned some of the jewels, but Saudi officials said most were fakes, and the search was on.
Prominently missing was a rare 50-carat blue diamond, the most precious of the stolen gems. The diamond was said to be the size of an egg, and its whereabouts still remain unknown. The total haul was estimated at more than 90 kilograms, smuggled out of the Saudi palace over weeks.
Top police officials in Thailand were implicated, three Saudi diplomats were assassinated in separate killings on the same night, and a Saudi businessman, close to the Saudi royal family who was in Thailand to investigate, mysteriously disappeared. It was his disappearance that caused Saudi Arabia to downgrade relations with Thailand, where they have remained until this week's visit by Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.
South China Morning Post, Thailand's 'Blue Diamond Affair' jinxed its Saudi Arabia ties for decades. Can Prayuth's visit lift the curse?