UNIPATH STAFF Making history, the first batch of female Saudi Soldiers graduated from the Armed Forces Women’s Cadre Training Center of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces in September 2021 after 14 weeks of boot camp. “The daily training program begins with the early morning inspection, then starts a physical training period under the supervision of the fitness trainers, then trainees get dismissed for breakfast, then start field training. Once done, the theoretical classes start,” trainer Manahil bint Saleh bin Humaid said. The plan to allow Saudi women into the military was announced in 2019, though the first female Soldiers didn’t…
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UNIPATH STAFF In a move to boost military recruitment, the Kuwait Armed Forces is studying the benefits of allowing women to serve in the military. Maj. Gen. Khaled Al-Kandari, deputy chief of staff for manpower, announced that the study on female recruitment is scheduled for the end of 2021. The debate on whether to enlist women in the Armed Forces was revived in September 2021 during a recruitment campaign, launched by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense, called “Be Among Them.” Kuwait considered a similar move in 2018, when Sheikh Nasser Al Sabah, then Kuwait’s minister of defense, advocated admitting…
UNIPATH STAFF In a boost to regional security in Central Asia, Tajikistan’s parliament ratified agreements with Uzbekistan to cooperate on air defense and military intelligence. The agreements were signed during the official visit to Tajikistan by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in June 2021, but achieved final Tajik approval in December 2021. In terms of air defense, both countries agreed to share best practices in aviation and air defense, conduct joint training, assist each other’s aircraft in distress, and exchange information about air traffic. Intelligence-sharing will entail mostly exchanging information about suspected terrorists and religious extremist groups. Information includes terrorists sponsors…
UNIPATH STAFF A joint effort by hundreds of thousands of Iraqi police officers and military personnel helped secure early parliamentary elections across the country in October 2021. The Iraqi Ministry of Interior reported no terrorist attacks, accidents or security breaches, despite the absence of a curfew imposed in previous elections. The plan for securing the election included the deployment of 300,000 members of the Army, police, Air Force, Military Aviation and civil defense. Aerial surveillance helped ensure that many of Iraq’s 8,278 polling centers were protected from potential terrorist attacks. “This election is fundamentally different from all previous elections…
UNIPATH STAFF The Qatari Emiri Navy fortified its fleet with the ceremonial launch of a landing craft that can accommodate hundreds of troops on its broad deck. The landing craft tank (LCT) Fuwairit was officially completed by Turkey’s Anadolu Shipyard in September 2021. Named after a coastal village in Qatar, the LCT Fuwairit holds 260 fully equipped troops on its 400-square-meter deck. The landing craft, operated by 25 Sailors, is also equipped to carry three battle tanks and other vehicles. Qatar planned to accept delivery of the vessel — one of about six ships it is buying from Turkey —…
UNIPATH STAFF Jordan and Qatar entered into a five-year security cooperation agreement in September 2021 that focuses on exchanging intelligence and technology to fight crime. The two countries will work to promote existing bilateral cooperation to combat all kinds of crimes: terrorism and related financing; organized crime; illicit trafficking in arms, ammunition, explosives and nuclear, radioactive, chemical and biological materials; human trafficking and illegal migration; smuggling, production and distribution of narcotics; money laundering; and counterfeiting of passports, currencies and other official documents. From an economic perspective, the agreement also emphasized joint protection of intellectual property, technological assets, information systems, and…
UNIPATH STAFF Egypt and Cyprus confirmed their close military partnership by successfully concluding the Ptolemy 2021 military exercise in September. The exercise included marksmanship practice, close quarters combat drill, simulated raids on terrorist hideouts and medical evacuation. The joint participation ensured that Egypt and Cyprus could test combat interoperability. Egypt and Cyprus enjoy robust military relations. Cypriot troops — including naval and special operations forces — were major players in the two-week multinational Bright Star exercise hosted by Egypt at Mohamed Naguib Military Base in September 2021. “Relations on a personal level and at the level of the Armed…
UNIPATH STAFF Bahrain ranked best among Arabic-speaking nations with the lowest incidence of money laundering, according to the Basel Anti-Money Laundering Index 2021. The Swiss-based organization based its ranking upon data provided by the Financial Action Task Force, Transparency International, the World Bank and the World Economic Forum. “The kingdom achieved 4.5 points and came in the second place after Israel, among the Middle Eastern countries in the area of combating money laundering, but came in first in the Arab world,” said Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, deputy governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain. In July 2021, Bahrain’s…
UNIPATH STAFF | Photos by Iraqi Ministry of Defense His complexion and distinctive features denote his Sumerian roots. Kindhearted, courageous and polite, he refines his words when he addresses his guest, embodying the spirit of Southern hospitality. His humility and courtesy do not stop him from providing insights on military science. The perception of him gained from the many battles he fought as a Soldier is that of a stubborn self-sacrificer with nothing on his mind other than victory. He is Lt. Gen. Qais Khalaf Rahima, the Iraqi Armed Forces deputy chief of staff for operations and commander of Joint…
On October 19, 2022, Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM), conducted a visit aboard the USS West Virginia, a U.S. Navy Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine at an undisclosed location at sea in international waters in the Arabian Sea. Kurilla was joined on the USS West Virginia by Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet and U.S. Navy Central. During his visit onboard the submarine, Gen. Kurilla received a hands-on demonstration of the capabilities of the vessel, which operates globally under U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). “I was thoroughly impressed with…