UAE Military Spy Satellite Targeting Iran Fails During Launch

Forbes: Military Spy Satellite Targeting Iran Crashes To Earth After Catastrophic Failure

A military spy satellite has come crashing down to earth after the failure of its launch rocket, sending the expensive payload into the Atlantic. The UAE-owned Falcon Eye 1 was intended for dual-use, meaning both military and civilian reconnaissance applications. And on the military side, one of the objectives of a UAE satellite—given the current situation in the region—would have been monitoring Iran.

Tensions in the Middle East remain high, between the U.S. and regional allies on one side, and Iran on the other. The UAE is seen by Teheran as part of that enemy axis led by the U.S. and set against Iranian interests. One of the core military objectives of the two Falcon Eye satellites—of which this was the first— is to monitor UAE's borders—especially its long maritime shoreline. And when it comes to the integrity of that maritime border, given those ongoing tensions, that means monitoring the activities of Iran in the Persian Gulf.

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WNU Editor: This failure comes at a critical time with all eyes now on Iran.

The UAE Is Paying Ex-U.S. Intelligence Officers To Professionalize Their Intelligence Agencies

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis meeting with the United Arab Emirates' Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, UAE in February 2017.

Foreign Policy: Deep Pockets, Deep Cover: The UAE Is Paying Ex-CIA Officers to Build a Spy Empire in the Gulf

They hired Americans to professionalize their intelligence service. But how far can former U.S. spies go?

Not far from the northeastern Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi, in a typical modern Gulf villa framed on one side by an elegant swimming pool, Westerners are teaching Emiratis the tools of modern spycraft.

The day starts with the basics: a 10 a.m. seminar on Sunday morning is titled “What is intelligence?” On Thursday, the recruits learn how to operate in four- to six-man surveillance teams. Over the course of the first week, they embark on scavenger hunts intended to hone their problem-solving skills. The following weeks get more advanced — students are schooled on creating cover identities to use when attending galas with diplomats, they are taught how to groom intelligence assets, and they watch skits about recruiting Libyan sources.

The Emirati recruits also train at another site about 30 minutes outside downtown Abu Dhabi called “The Academy” — complete with gun ranges, barracks, and driving courses — reminiscent of the CIA’s “Farm” at Camp Peary, a training facility located in southeastern Virginia.

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Update: Spooks for Hire: UAE Recruits ex-CIA Agents to Build Modern Spy Agency - Reports (Sputnik).

WNU Editor: For these ex-U.S. intelligence officers it is all about the money .... and apparently there is a lot of money to it.

Report: Torture Widespread At Network Of UAE-Run Prisons In Yemen Where US Interrogated Detainees

Human Rights Watch: Yemen: UAE Backs Abusive Local Forces

Resolve ‘Disappearances’, Grant Access to Detention Sites

The UAE supports Yemeni forces that have arbitrarily detained, forcibly disappeared, tortured, and abused dozens of people during security operations, Human Rights Watch said today. The UAE finances, arms, and trains these forces, which ostensibly are going after Yemeni branches of Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State (also known as ISIS). The UAE also runs at least two informal detention facilities, and its officials appear to have ordered the continued detention of people despite release orders, and forcibly disappeared people, including reportedly moving high-profile detainees outside the country.

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More News On Reports That Torture Is Widespread At A Network Of UAE-Run Prisons In Yemen Where The US Interrogates Detainees

Beatings and ‘the grill’: Reports allege torture in secret prisons run by United Arab Emirates in Yemen -- Washington Post
In Yemen’s secret prisons, UAE tortures and US interrogates -- AP
UAE runs 'informal prisons' in Yemen: HRW -- AFP
HRW: UAE backs torture and disappearances in Yemen -- Al Jazeera
Human Rights: Yemen Violated International Law By Torturing Detainees, And The US Knew About it -- Newsweek
UAE has secret torture prisons in Yemen, US involved in interrogations – AP -- RT

Hacked UAE Ambassador's Emails Is Straining Gulf Ties

The Intercept: Hacked Emails Show Top UAE Diplomat Coordinating With Pro-Israel Think Tank Against Iran

THE EMAIL ACCOUNT of one of Washington’s most connected and influential foreign operatives has been hacked. A small tranche of those emails was sent this week to media outlets, including The Intercept, HuffPost and The Daily Beast, with the hacker promising to release a trove publicly.

The hotmail account belongs to the UAE’s ambassador to the United States, Yousef Al-Otaiba, and The Intercept can confirm it is the one he used for most Washington business. HuffPost confirmed at least one of the emails as authentic and the UAE has confirmed that Otaiba’s account was indeed hacked.

Otaiba’s influence derives largely from his pocketbook, as the ambassador is well known for throwing lavish dinner parties, galas, and hosting powerful figures on extravagant trips. Several Christmases ago, he sent out iPads as gifts to journalists and other Washington power players as gifts. There’s no telling what kind of messages might reside in that inbox.

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More News On The UAE Ambassador's Hacked Emails

Hackers Threaten To Leak Emails Exposing UAE's Ties To Israel -- Eurasia Review
Hacked emails from UAE ambassador to US reveal details of upcoming meeting with pro-Israel think tank -- International Business Times
Leaked emails show depth of anti-Qatar campaign -- Gulf Times/Al Jazeera
Analysts: Leaks could threaten Emirati diplomacy -- Al Jazeera
ANALYSIS: UAE envoy’s hacked emails and Qatar’s escalating Gulf rift -- Al Arabiya
Someone Is Using These Leaked Emails To Embarrass Washington’s Most Powerful Ambassador -- Huffington Post

Somaliland Agrees To A UAE Naval And Air Base In Northern Port

(BBC)

BBC: Somaliland agrees to UAE military base in Berbera

MPs in the self-declared republic of Somaliland have agreed to allow the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to set up a military base in the port of Berbera.

Observers say the deal has proved controversial among Somaliland's neighbours in the Horn of Africa.

The UAE already has a military facility at Eritrea's Assab port for use in a campaign against Yemeni rebels.

It is part of a coalition that has fought Houthi rebels and imposed a naval blockade on Yemen since 2015.

More than 10,000 people have been killed and 40,000 wounded since then, according to the UN.

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WNU Editor: This base will probably be used in the war against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

More News On Somaliland Agreeing To A UAE Naval And Air Base In Northern Port

UAE to open second military base in east Africa -- Middle East Eye
Somaliland agrees to UAE military base in northern port -- AP
Somaliland agrees to UAE naval base in northern port -- The National
Somaliland Approves Naval, Air Base Deal with UAE -- VOA

UAE Has Become The Latest Country Willing To Send Ground Forces Into Syria

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash has said the UAE would send troops to fight ISIL. Christopher Pike / The National

Gulf News: UAE backs sending ground troops to fight Daesh

Campaign against terror group has to include genuine political process and a ground force, minister says

Abu Dhabi: The UAE said on Sunday it backs sending ground troops as part of an international coalition to fight against Daesh, a top official said yesterday.

“Our position throughout has been that a real campaign against Daesh has to include genuine political process [in Iraq] and a ground force,” Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said at a news conference in Abu Dhabi.

Dr Gargash ruled out the possibility of sending large number of troops. “We are not talking about thousands of troops. We are talking of troops to lead the operation. And we are talking of troops to train.”

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More News On The UAE Backing The Sending of Ground Forces Into Syria

UAE Says It's Prepared to Send Ground Forces to Syria -- AP
UAE says ready to send ground troops to Syria -- Reuters
UAE says it is ready to send ground troops to Syria -- Al Jazeera
In Saudi Arabia’s Footsteps: UAE Poised to Send Ground Troops to Syria -- Sputnik
UAE joins chorus of Arab monarchies ready to invade Syria -- RT

Major Al Qaeda Terror Bust In The United Arab Emirates

UAE Arrests Al-Qaida-Linked 'Terrorist Cell' -- Voice of America

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have arrested seven people they say are part of an al-Qaida-linked terrorist cell.

The official WAM news agency said Thursday the group was "planning to carry out acts" in the UAE, as well as to recruit others and promote al-Qaida.

It said the seven people arrested were of "Arab nationalities" but did not give additional details.

The statement also said the group was providing money and logistical support to help al-Qaida further its activities in the region.


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More News On The UAE Busting An Al-Qaida Linked 'Terrorist Cell'

UAE says it has arrested plotters linked to al Qaeda -- Reuters
United Arab Emirates arrests 'al-Qaeda terror suspects' -- BBC
Emirates Said to Seize Qaeda Supporters -- New York Times
United Arab Emirates arrests suspected members of al-Qaida ‘terrorist cell’ -- Washington Post/AP
7 terror cell suspects arrested in UAE -- CNN

My Comment: More evidence that Al Qaeda and their supporters are far from "dead".

Was There A Major Terror Attack Planned In The UAE

UAE Kept Tight Lid On Disrupted Terror Plot -- Washington Times

Emirates finds it's not immune to al Qaeda.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates earlier this year quietly broke up a major terrorist ring affiliated with al Qaeda that had plotted to blow up targets in Dubai - a banking hub that has long seemed immune to attacks by the terrorist group.

The disruption in May of the previously undisclosed plot came at a sensitive time for the UAE, which months earlier concluded an agreement with the United States that would allow the U.S. to sell it nuclear reactor technology and nuclear fuel. Congress has until Oct. 17 to block the agreement, which has been viewed with concern by some nonproliferation groups.

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More News On This "Suspected" Terrorist Plot

Is plot to blow up world's highest building just a tall story? -- SKY News
Wave of arrests follow plot to blow up Dubai tower -- Ynet News
Head of UAE Police: No Burj Dubai Terrorist Plot -- Top News
Burj Dubai blow-up plot report “baseless”: police -- Khaleej Times

My Comment: The last thing that the UAE needs right now is news that they have been infiltrated by Al Qaeda and/or Iranian operatives. They are on the verge of a major nuclear agreement with the U.S. .... instability is the last thing that they want advertised.

An Analysis And Commentary On The UAE's Defense Buildup

UAE’s Mighty Shield -- The National

The United Arab Emirates has achieved an inordinate amount in a very short time. From desert sands a modern metropolis is emerging that will rank among the leading financial, cultural, medical and business centres in the world.

It is natural to want to protect such gains to ensure they can be enjoyed by generations to come.

But if history has anything to teach us, it is that the future is always unpredictable. While we have enjoyed an extended period of peace and prosperity, the region in which we live remains fragile: Iraq is rebuilding after years of devastation, Iran, with its nuclear ambitions, is in domestic turmoil following controversial elections, Israel and its relations with the Palestinian people remain an open sore and a power-greedy world observes our oil and gas reserves with a jealous eye.

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My Comment: They may have the money to buy these weapon systems .... but do the men have the professional background and training to handle it. Let us hope that we never find out.

UAE Is World’s Third-Biggest Arms Importer: Think-Tank

United Arab Emirates

From Defense Talk:

Stockholm: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the third-biggest arms importer worldwide, a leading defence think tank said Monday.

The figures from the UAE reflected what the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) described as a "worrying" regional trend of increased arms imports into the Middle East.

The oil-rich country accounted for 6.0 percent of the world's arms imports between 2004 and 2008, according to the new report from the (SIPRI) -- the same proportion as South Korea.

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My Comment: Such a small country .... with so many weapons .... something does not add up.

UAE Buys U.S. Missiles In $3.3 Billion Deal: Report

Patriot missile battery

From Yahoo News/Reuters:

DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran's Gulf neighbor, the United Arab Emirates, has signed a deal worth $3.3 billion to buy missiles from U.S. firm Raytheon, a newspaper reported on Saturday.

The U.S. Defense Department said in September it had proposed the sale of air defense systems and helicopters to the UAE with a total potential value of more than $9 billion.

The main item in the Pentagon-proposed package was Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, worth up to $7 billion. The system is built by Lockheed Martin Corp with a system radar from Raytheon Co.

The National, an Abu Dhabi based-newspaper, said the deal was to buy Patriot missiles.

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My Comment: Did someone say Middle East Arms race?

Britons Warned Of UAE Terror Threat

Dubai is one of the seven states which make up the UAE

From the Independent:

The British Government has raised its terror warning for the United Arab Emirates to its highest level.

A statement on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website says: "There is a high threat from terrorism. We believe terrorists may be planning to carry out attacks in the UAE."

The FCO has four levels of terror threat, including "high", "general", "underlying" and "low".

A "high" threat comes into force when there is a "high level of known terrorist activity".

The FCO statement continues: "Attacks could be indiscriminate and could happen at any time, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests.

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My Comment: Of all the countries in the Middle East, The UAE is the showcase for modernization and development. Islamic extremists do not need nor want this showcase in the Middle East. Interestingly, only a few news outlets are carrying this story.