Today's 4...Handovers, fear, resignations & rhetoric

Saleh waving goodbye

Al Jazeera reported that today a ceremony took place in Yemen's capital, Sanaa in which former President Saleh officially handed over power to new President Hadi. Saleh congratulated his former vice president on winning the (uncontested) election (all irony intended). I was particularly interested to read Al Jazeera's article, particularly as the last I read about Saleh's movements were that he was heading Addis Ababa. Apparently I was wrong. I would be surprised if he stays in Yemen full-time from now on. Watch this space.


In a very interesting feature article,  The Guardian highlights how Saudi Arabia is an ideal location for the next iteration of the Arab Spring. The article provides ample evidence as to why the closed Kingdom has caused sufficient dissatisfaction amongst its citizens for them to want to rise up against the House of Saud. The Guardian journalist argues that fear from the brutal regime has so far silenced an Egyptian style uprising. I would argue that there are other significant elements, which go unmentioned in the Guardian. In political science, the concept of the "rentier state" states that if citizens are provided with a certain way of life (no taxes, government allowances etc) by the ruling regime, they are less likely to rise up against their rulers. Essentially, the oppressive ruler becomes a vital source of income. This is certainly true of many of the citizens in Saudi and should not be dismissed as a reason why the Saudi people have not risen up against their rulers.


The Financial Times reported that the head of Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat has resigned. Talal al-Zain has left to set up his own financial services company. Publicly, Zain has insisted he remains loyal to Bahrain's sunni royal family and that the year of unrest on the small island kingdom has nothing to do with his decision to step down. Perhaps he is speaking the truth, but I am going to let out the cynic inside me and argue that he is stepping down as an act of opposition against the ruling regime. 


And finally...

Sheikh Hamad is getting tough 

The Financial Times (again) reported that Qatar has joined the calls for the arming of Syrian rebels fighting against the regime of Asad. Qatar’s Sheikh Hamad announced that, following Russia and China's decision to vote against a UN Security Council resolution demanding an end to violence in Syria, the Arab world has a responsibility to support the Syrian rebels in any way they can. These are bold words from the Qatari leader, and I would not be surprised if he does not follow through on this strong rhetoric. Qatar is currently working night and day to become a world centre for sport, culture and research and investment for the future. I don't think that taking controversial and affirmative action against Asad would not be in line Qatar's long term policy of cultural and sporting global domination.