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Dubai Latest

"Moved to Dubai a month ago…

"Then two drones exploded next to our building, I was listed #3 on the UAE public prosecutor’s list for “publishing illegal content” (the video of the Fairmont on fire that got 1.7m views) resulting in my X account being banned across the country, followed by another week of hiding in the basement due to constant barrages of missiles and drones.

"Then a couple days ago after Marina 23 and the airport got hit I decided we’ve pushed our luck far enough.

"Made our way over the border into Oman the night before last and flew out this morning.

"Good luck to everyone in the GCC. But if you have the means to get out – I suggest you do so. Don’t FAFO."

https://x.com/ElonTrades/status/2030929933682262280?s=20

LOL, need to monetise the clicks, likes, and shares.

No-one who isn’t an ‘influencer’ is leaving Dubai right now.

I'm sorry, I just don't for a second believe that is true. And yes, you live in Dubai (and I sincerely wish you luck!)

But the fact is most people find the idea of bombs and drones, falling out of the sky, genuinely horrifying, no matter how much evidence you offer that they are statistically more at risk from falling coconuts on a tropical beach (I think that might be true, btw)

You are different. You've shown it. You went to Ukraine twice, or thrice (like me) during the war You've got cullions of tungsten and you can take a bit of danger

Most people can't. Moreover, one of the main reason people MOVE to Dubai is "safety". That and the low taxes are in fact the main attractor. It's not the weather. It's very pleasant in winter but for six months you cannot go outside without frying to death

So these people have lost a massive reason to hang around in Dubai. I would be frankly astonished if lots of them, if they have the choice, are not fleeing ASAP

The random coconuts on the beach probably isn’t far off. As of now there’s been four civilian casualties in the UAE, a country of 11m people. May they rest in peace.

Road accident deaths in an average Ramadan would be way higher than that.

Yeah I’ve been to Ukraine, as have you, and you know that what’s going on there is orders of magnitude worse, with constant sirens and orders to shelter.

Safety in Dubai is still absolute, it’s always been one of the safest places in the world and that hasn’t significantly changed in the past 10 days.

The weather is indeed awesome in the winter and crap in the summer, which is why it’s so popular as a tourist destination. Don’t visit here between Easter and October half-term unless you know what to expect. I always laugh at the crazy deals the hotels do here in August, and the Brits that take the bait and turn up not understanding the climate. Awesome for us locals though, getting $1,000 hotel rooms for $200 out of season.

Yes there’s a few high-profile “millionaires” and “influencers” in Dubai. They’re my customers, and the vast majority of us Brits here are just normal people doing normal jobs earning normal money.

Good luck, stay strong, and I hope you're right

I just have less faith in the fortitude and risk analysis of the average human, perhaps

You should come here, be the only guy who’s actually making a point of going to Dubai right now. Would be a great story.

We’ve about a month of good weather left.

I’ll buy you a beer at Fibber Magee’s Irish Bar.

Weirdly, Fibber Magee's has opened a branch in my home suburb in an old branch of Greggs.

9 days in, the most basic question about the Iran war remains unanswered
In just over a week, Trump and top administration officials have given at least 17 different responses about why the war began

https://popular.info/p/9-days-in-the-most-basic-question

Not unreasonable.

Many things worth doing have many reasons why they are worth doing.

That there are so many valid reasons why this war is happening is further proof that it is a good idea, not proof that it is a bad one.

You really are off your head, aren't you? The Trump administration has no plan at all, and no means of achieving any of its stated aims. Far from a victorious march to victory, what is most likely to happen is that after a highly disruptive few weeks of conflict, an unstable truce is put in place with none of Trump's aims achieved whatsoever, but at a cost of several trillion dollars, not to mention the shattering of the illusory security of countries in the GCC and a long term economic downturn- not to mention the benefits to Russia.

The abject incompetence of Trump may bring the benefit that the GOP are utterly trashed at the midterms, but then we will have 2 years of infantile bluster from the emasculated Trump, which- granted- is better than he actually retains any power, but will be an abject humiliation for the USA and the West in general.

No I am not off my head, yes I agree that the Trump administration is useless.

I agree with German Chancellor Merz that the fall of the Iranian regime is required. Is Merz off his head?

If Trump TACOs out then I will oppose that and not be too surprised. Hopefully Bibi prevents him from reverting to form and TACOing out.

I would be utterly delighted to see the GOP trashed at the midterms.

On a Venn diagram I am in the intersection of "despises Trump" and "supports this war".

Was hoping we could leave Venn/Euler behind in the prior thread.

Sigh

9 days in, the most basic question about the Iran war remains unanswered
In just over a week, Trump and top administration officials have given at least 17 different responses about why the war began

https://popular.info/p/9-days-in-the-most-basic-question

Not unreasonable.

Many things worth doing have many reasons why they are worth doing.

That there are so many valid reasons why this war is happening is further proof that it is a good idea, not proof that it is a bad one.

You really are off your head, aren't you? The Trump administration has no plan at all, and no means of achieving any of its stated aims. Far from a victorious march to victory, what is most likely to happen is that after a highly disruptive few weeks of conflict, an unstable truce is put in place with none of Trump's aims achieved whatsoever, but at a cost of several trillion dollars, not to mention the shattering of the illusory security of countries in the GCC and a long term economic downturn- not to mention the benefits to Russia.

The abject incompetence of Trump may bring the benefit that the GOP are utterly trashed at the midterms, but then we will have 2 years of infantile bluster from the emasculated Trump, which- granted- is better than he actually retains any power, but will be an abject humiliation for the USA and the West in general.

https://x.com/Steven_Swinford/status/2030999849663893720

Breaking:

Despite briefings over the course of the weekend - and the assumption of Donald Trump - it sounds like the HMS Prince of Wales **will not** be deployed to the Middle East

Good call. It should stay where it is. The war has already been won anyway. We have this from the horse's mouth.

At the same time Macron is sending two warships to the Red Sea

France will send two warships to Red Sea - as Greek PM calls for more EU help at sea

France will send two warships to the Red Sea, Emmanuel Macron has announced.

This would be part of efforts to address the economic impact of "the de-facto closure of maritime routes", Macron said, as Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf.

The two French frigates will join an EU mission that protects shipping in the Red Sea on the eastern side of the Arabian Peninsula, though notably not in the Persian Gulf.

The EU mission was created in response to attacks from the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen on international shipping in late 2023.

During a joint visit with Macron to Cyprus, Greece's prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, also called on other European countries to boost the naval force in the Red Sea.

For context: This isn't the first asset that France has mobilised in response to the Iran war. Macron promised to send the frigate Languedoc and air defence systems to Cyprus after a UK airbase on the island was hit by a drone last week.

France's aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, is expected to arrive in the eastern Mediterranean in the coming days.

Macron also married his teacher. I don't think we need to copy his every move.

Do you not understand just how bad this looks to our middle east allies, and indeed Cyprus

None of the Gulf countries is looking to us to defend them. And why should they? They're a lot richer than we are and indeed seem intent on hollowing out our tax base making it even harder for us to fund our military. We should focus on our own defence, as the US withdraws from defending Europe leaving us vulnerable at home.

With respect I am genuinely surprised you are not aware of our commitment in the middle east


The UK's military presence in the Middle East includes the following countries with RAF protection:

Cyprus: Home to the only permanent joint operating base in the wider region, RAF combat aircraft fly from Cyprus for Operation Shader.

Qatar: Al Udeid air base serves as the RAF's operational headquarters in the Middle East.

United Arab Emirates: Al Minhad airbase is used for RAF operations in the region.

Oman: Al Musannah airbase is another RAF base in the Middle East.

Bahrain: The UK Naval Support Facility in Bahrain supports UK naval vessels in the Persian Gulf.

These bases and facilities are crucial for the UK's military operations in the Middle East, providing protection and support to UK forces

We are clearly in no state to act as these countries' primary source of defence and any contribution we make is miniscule compared to the US. They are also increasingly richer than us and can afford to pay for their own defence. I think it's ridiculous that we prioritize acting like the big man in the middle east when we should be focusing on defending ourselves as the US is no longer a trustworthy ally.

9 days in, the most basic question about the Iran war remains unanswered
In just over a week, Trump and top administration officials have given at least 17 different responses about why the war began

https://popular.info/p/9-days-in-the-most-basic-question

Not unreasonable.

Many things worth doing have many reasons why they are worth doing.

That there are so many valid reasons why this war is happening is further proof that it is a good idea, not proof that it is a bad one.

No, it's just proof that Trump doesn't have a fecking clue what he is doing.

Now the Israelis, they know what they are doing. Bomb Iran back to the Stone Age and keep them there.