What Trump's proposed tariffs could mean for the Arab film industry
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Al Etihad
an hour ago
- Al Etihad
Future-ready UAE shows the world how foresight builds long-term resilience
5 Aug 2025 00:03 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI) For the UAE, foresight is not only a strategic imperative but a national compass guiding institutions and communities through rapid developments and boosting long-term resilience, a leading futurist has told Aletihad . Dr. Sulaiman Al Kaabi, CEO of the Future Foresight Foundation, said foresight was no longer some obscure academic practice but had been built into governance and policymaking.'Today, the element of foresight is clearly present in every government plan or initiative,' he said.'The leadership recognises that remaining at the forefront of innovative nations requires a long-term vision and constant preparedness for unexpected changes. Foresight is not a luxury; it is part of the national identity.'An expert in strategic foresight and futures studies, Dr. Al Kaabi is the first person from the UAE and the Gulf region to join the Association of Professional Futurists (APF). He is also a member of the World Future Society (WFS). He authored the Future Foresight Encyclopaedia in Arabic, the first of its kind in the Arab represents a way of thinking — a formative value and an element of national identity, he said.'It begins from the outside in; it examines global changes and builds scenarios around them. Traditional planning [on the other hand] starts from the inside out, building on current capabilities,' Dr. Al Kaabi said. 'Foresight is the compass, and planning is the roadmap,' he said, stressing its importance in a fast-changing world of 'technological, social, and economic revolutions.'Foresight 'places the UAE in a position of initiative, not reaction'. It is evident in how the country is preparing for challenges such as AI's impact on the workforce, climate change, cybersecurity, and resource sustainability, Dr. Al Kaabi said. Foresight allows the UAE to act fast in times of crisis, with plans ready before problems arise, he said. He pointed to the UAE's swift COVID-19 response as proof of how foresight works; just as it underpins long-term goals like We the UAE 2031 and UAE Centennial 2071.'Foresight provides the country with the tools necessary to review its path and update its goals based on global developments,' Dr. Al Kaabi said. Leveraging New TechAI and big data have revolutionised how strategies are future-proofed, he added. Advanced technology now bolsters entities' ability to create 'accurate scenarios, faster decisions, and plans that can be adjusted instantly.' Future Foresight Foundation has been helping institutions build future-ready plans and stay ahead of emerging trends.'It is the first private foundation in the UAE and the Arabian Gulf to place scientific foresight at the core of its work,' Dr. Al Kaabi said. 'It specialises in conducting futures studies and developing practical, implementable scenarios.' The foundation collaborates with the public and private sectors and philanthropic organisations across the world through consultations, training courses, and strategic programmes to help them prepare for potential disruptions and capitalise on new opportunities. 'We are committed to applying globally recognised scientific methodologies and utilising the latest analytical and artificial intelligence tools to create accurate visions of the future,' Dr. Al Kaabi said. The foundation, for an instance, uses an Arab-developed foresight model based on global best practices. It uses big data and expert insights to build detailed, sector-specific scenarios. Foresight, he added, now drives progress in education, healthcare, energy, security, and the economy. Empowering the Youth Central to building future-ready strategies is empowering the youth, and the UAE has been on the right track when it comes to highlighting the importance of looking ahead. 'Young people are the fuel and engine of any real change… We must empower them to become the makers of the future,' Dr. Al Kaabi the country, foresight is being embedded in education, he added. 'We need foresight to be a fundamental component of the educational process, not just an additional subject or a side activity. With the UAE's clear vision and a future-focused mindset, the country has become 'an international reference in future thinking.' Dr. Al Kaabi said.
The National
an hour ago
- The National
US states and cities boycotting Israel won't receive disaster funds, Trump administration says
US President Donald Trump 's administration has said states and cities will not receive funding to prepare for natural disasters if they choose to boycott Israeli companies. States must certify that they will not cut commercial relations with Israeli companies to receive the money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Reuters reported, quoting grant notices posted last week. The condition applies to at least $1.9 billion on which states rely for search and rescue equipment, emergency manager salaries and back-up power systems, among other expenses. 'DHS [Department of Homeland Security] will enforce all anti-discrimination laws and policies, including as it relates to the BDS [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions] movement, which is expressly grounded in anti-Semitism," a DHS representative said in a statement to The National. They were referring to a campaign designed to put economic pressure on Israel to end the occupation of the Palestinian territories. "Those who engage in racial discrimination should not receive a single dollar of federal funding.' More than 30 states already have anti-BDS laws or policies, according to Newsweek. Fema will require major cities to agree to the Israel policy to receive a cut of $553.5 million set aside to prevent terrorism in dense areas. New York City is due to receive $92.2 million from the programme, more than all other recipients. It is the latest example of the Trump administration making use of routine federal funding to advance its political message at the state level. Fema said in July that states will be required to spend part of their federal terrorism prevention funds on helping the government to arrest migrants, which is an administration priority. Mr Trump has said that Fema should be eliminated, and that states should take on more responsibility for responding to and preparing for disasters including extreme weather.
Al Etihad
an hour ago
- Al Etihad
Early wins for US, but dynamics of EU alliance is changing
4 Aug 2025 23:55 SULTAN KHALIFA AL RUBAEI*Tariffs have once again taken centre stage in US and international trade, following the August deadline set by United States President Donald Trump for countries to present trade agreement proposals or face steep tariffs. The US administration secured deals with several of its trading partners, most notably the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom. However, the global trade landscape now appears to be bracing for profound changes in trade rules that go beyond the post-World War II US agreement with the EU included a 15% tariff on European goods (significantly lower than the 30% previously threatened by the US president), an exemption for pharmaceutical products, and limited exceptions for aircraft and medical equipment. In return, the EU committed to purchasing $750 billion worth of US energy products and investing approximately $600 billion in the US. This agreement secured substantial additional revenue for the American 'America First' policy pursued by the United States in its dealings with both partners and non-partners pushes it toward manoeuvring economic policies. But beyond the deals and manoeuvres lies US-European relations, particularly with the EU, the foundation of which is no longer only partnership, but also competition, or rather, the partnership is taking a backseat in the face of competition. This shift may be attributed to internal divisions among the EU's 27 member states, the multiple challenges facing the ageing continent, and the heavy reliance on the United States when it comes to defence forces. At this time, none of the EU countries can afford the economic strain of a trade the American side, the current administration has shown little regard for the mutual trust in the transatlantic free trade relations, nor for the existing rules of international trade. As a result, there is a possibility that other global actors may adopt similar protectionist policies, posing a threat to the stability of international markets, particularly in light of the tensions that the current environment may create at the level of international trade the changes and uncertainty, the EU chose to stay aligned with America, albeit at a high cost. The newly imposed tariffs place a heavy financial burden on EU-based companies, forcing them to bear additional billions in expenses. While EU member states acknowledge the agreement's potential harm to their economies, they have viewed it as the best possible option under the current circumstances. It may mark the beginning of a longer negotiation process rather than the end, given the limited options available. Without formal trade agreements with Washington, the EU risks being subjected to US terms, leading to imbalanced deals or potential trade United States emerged as the winner in the agreement with the EU. However, the outcome also places a burden on American consumers, who are likely to face higher prices for imported goods as companies pass on the additional costs. This is particularly significant given that Germany is one of the largest exporters to the US, with exports exceeding €161 billion in 2024. Ireland's exports to the US reached €72 billion and Italy's €64 billion in the same year, according to Eurostat, the EU's statistical office. In total, 20% of the EU's goods exports are directed to the United States. This makes the agreement the least damaging option for Europe to avoid a trade confrontation between two allies who together account for nearly one-third of global trade. The effects of this deal may become visible in the US market in the coming this agreement, the US aims to achieve economic balance and address its trade deficit with the EU, which reached $235.6 billion in 2024. Although the deal helps avoid a trade war, it shows that the dynamics of old alliances are shifting, international trade is being reshaped amid global economic uncertainty, and competition for each country to achieve huge gains has become a defining feature of today's international economic and trade relations. *The columnist is a researcher with the think-tank firm, TRENDS Research & Advisory
