UNIPATH STAFF The Egyptian Navy launched a new corvette, Al-Moez, in May 2019 from Alexandria Shipyard, one more step in the country’s overhaul of its fleet to better defend the Suez Canal and other strategic waterways. In recent years, the Navy has been replacing or upgrading ships in accordance with a strategic plan to modernize all weapons and equipment of the Egyptian Armed Forces. Although having a robust and modern naval force requires steep operational costs, it is nothing compared to the costs of failing to maintain maritime security. A strong Navy is needed to deter illegal activities such as…
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Kuwaiti and U.S. security forces conducted emergency response drills to defend against hypothetical chemical and radiological attacks from terrorists. The Watan 1 exercise in May 2019 brought together elements from the Kuwaiti Army, National Guard, special forces, police, firefighters and civil defense organizations. Partnering with them were members of U.S. Task Force Spartan, which conducts drills with Middle Eastern partners tailored to each country’s security needs. Watan 1 aimed to prepare Kuwait to counter weapons of mass destruction, whether they be chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high-yield explosives. The drills stressed the importance of coordination between military and civilian organizations…
COL. A. ZIA KARIMI, AFGHANISTAN’S SENIOR NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE TO U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND In the span of a few years, the Afghan National Army (ANA) has become an effective, trustworthy force capable of assuming its place in the international community. The ANA has improved its combat skills, thanks to the hard work and compassion of talented professional advisors and trainers who have spared no time in developing the Afghan Army. Adopting an offensive doctrine, the ANA can plan and execute any combat operation against the enemy. Cooperation and coordination with other security agencies are much better, and special attention is paid…
UNIPATH STAFF After treating thousands of patients in Sudan’s Darfur region, Pakistani military field hospitals have been acclaimed the “Pearl of UNAMID” by their grateful beneficiaries. UNAMID is the abbreviation for the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur, the peacekeeping operation organized in 2007 to relieve suffering in the hard-stricken region of western Sudan. Pakistani field hospitals in Darfur not only treated more than 15,000 patients — including 822 surgeries — they also opened free clinics that served another 46,000 Sudanese. “Owing to such great service to humanity, Pakistani doctors became extremely popular with the title of ‘Pakistani healers’ in…
UNIPATH STAFF Reiterating their commitment to counterterrorism, Bahraini officials attended the Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA) Task Force conference in Washington, D.C., in June 2019. Dr. Nasser Al Balushi, political and economic advisor to the Bahraini minister of foreign affairs addressed partnership and cooperation among Middle Eastern countries. He stressed Bahrain’s commitment to enhancing cooperation to fight terrorism and shrivel its sources of finance. Enhancing border security, consolidating terrorist watch lists and increasing exchange of intelligence were just three ways to make that happen. He urged Arab nations to take advantage of various counterterrorism centers established in the Gulf Region.…
UNIPATH STAFF Food security — ensuring the proper production, procurement and processing of food — has become the focus of a new national strategy in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE government launched the National Strategy for Food Security in September 2019 aimed at ensuring a safe, efficient food supply for the nation of 9.5 million. The strategy proposes a national system for food sustainability that defines 18 essential items in a national food basket. Among other things, the system would facilitate the global food trade, diversify food import sources and identify alternative supplies for major food items like wheat,…
UNIPATH STAFF Kyrgyz-Kazakh relations have improved over the past 2½ years after a brief chill. Both nations have expressed a greater willingness to strengthen military, security, economic, trade and cultural ties. An April 2019 meeting between defense ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan deliberated on issues of international and regional security, potential areas of military cooperation and joint combat training and military education. In May 2019, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan solidified diplomatic relations as well. Meeting Kazakhstani Minister of Foreign Affairs Beibut Atamkulov in Bishkek, Kyrgyz President Soronbay Jeenbekov praised Kazakhstan as one of his country’s top partners. For his part, Kazakhstani…
UNIPATH STAFF Qatar has boosted the effectiveness of its Air Force with the formation of the Al Adiyat fighter jet squadron. Al Adiyat has its origins in the country’s purchase of French Rafale fighter jets, the first of which were delivered to Qatar in February 2019. Received by His Highness Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at Dukhan airbase, Qatari crews arrived from France aboard the first batch of what will be 36 Rafales. The jet is designed for interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear deterrence missions, and pilots displayed the Rafale’s capabilities at…
An interview with Vice Adm. Abdullah Salim Ali Abdullah Al-Nakhai Unipath Staff The esteemed Yemeni poet Abdul Wahab Naaman wrote of his country: “This is my land, which will never kneel To any authoritarians; This land will only accept National honor and grandfathers’ dignity; My land’s determination and great history Inspires its spirit of steadfastness.” Vice Adm. Abdullah Salim Ali Abdullah Al-Nakhai, adviser to the Yemeni minister of defense and commander of naval forces, exemplifies the resilient spirit of those inspiring words. Despite being a first-class professional commander, the admiral is renowned for his modesty, qualities that have earned him the respect of his troops and his…
Yemen Needs to Harness Energy and Innovation From Its Younger Cohorts MAJ. GEN. MOHAMMED Zayed IBRAHIM, YEMENI DEFENSE ATTACHE TO THE U.S. The youth sector truly is one of the most significant groups in contributing to the construction and growth of society. It is a crucial, indispensable group, particularly given that youth possess many qualities — mainly strength, vitality, energy and resilience — at this particular stage of life. Young people have a large and vital role to play in building society. Their role is not limited to a specific area; it encompasses all social, political, and economic spheres as well…